Frontline Season 26 Episode 13 Heat

In season 26, episode 13 of Frontline, titled "Heat," the program investigates the impact of climate change on extreme weather events and the lives of people affected by them. Using scientific data and personal stories, the show examines the ways in which rising temperatures are causing more frequent and severe heat waves, droughts, wildfires, and hurricanes.

The episode begins with a look at the scorching heat wave that swept across Europe in the summer of 2019, leading to record-breaking temperatures, widespread fires, and hundreds of deaths. Correspondent Martin Smith talks with scientists who explain how climate change is making such extreme weather events more likely and more deadly. He also hears from residents of Paris and other affected cities who describe how they coped with the heat and the ways in which their lives were disrupted.

Next, the program looks at the impact of heat waves and droughts on agriculture in California, the nation's largest producer of fruits and vegetables. Correspondent Lauren Markham visits farms in the Central Valley, where rising temperatures and water scarcity are threatening crops, farm workers, and the state's economy. She also talks with scientists who are studying the links between climate change and the deadly bark beetle infestation that has devastated millions of trees in the Sierra Nevada.

The episode then turns to the devastating wildfires that have become increasingly common in the Western United States. Correspondent Eric Westervelt visits the town of Paradise, California, where the deadly Camp Fire in November of 2018 destroyed thousands of homes and claimed dozens of lives. He talks with survivors who recount their harrowing experiences and with experts who explain how the combination of drought, high winds, and heat exacerbate the risk of wildfires. Westervelt also examines how utilities, regulators, and politicians are grappling with the challenge of preventing future fires and compensating victims.

The final segment of the episode focuses on the devastating impact of hurricanes, particularly on vulnerable communities in the Caribbean and the Gulf Coast. Correspondent Dan Edge investigates the aftermath of Hurricane Maria, which struck Puerto Rico in September of 2017, causing widespread damage and claiming thousands of lives. He talks with residents who describe the neglect and inadequate response from the federal government and with experts who warn that the island's infrastructure is woefully unprepared for the next big storm. Edge also travels to Louisiana, where communities such as Isle de Jean Charles are disappearing due to a combination of rising sea levels, subsidence, and erosion.

Throughout the program, Frontline marshals compelling evidence to make the case that climate change is not just a theoretical threat but a present-day reality that is already having profound effects on people's lives and livelihoods. The show also provides a platform for those who are working to mitigate the damage and adapt to the new normal, from farmers and firefighters to scientists and policymakers. Ultimately, "Heat" is both a sobering warning about the dangers of a warming planet and a call to action for individuals, communities, and nations to take bold steps to address the crisis.