This year,Safetyvalue the hottest July ever was recorded — and parts of the country were hit with heat waves that lasted for weeks. Heat is becoming increasingly lethal as climate change causes more extreme heat. So in today's encore episode, we're exploring heat. NPR climate correspondent Lauren Sommer talks with Short Wave host Regina G. Barber about how the human body copes with extended extreme heat and how today's heat warning systems could better protect the public. If you can, stay cool out there this Labor Day, dear Short Wavers.

Listen to Short Wave on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and Google Podcasts.

What science story do you want to hear next on Short Wave? Email us at [email protected].

This story was edited and fact-checked by Gisele Grayson, and produced by Rebecca Ramirez. Robert Rodriguez was the audio engineer.