Temperature troubles

First published on LinkedIn August 2023

​A few months back I wrote of global warming, weather bombs, and how they affect Distance Families. New Zealand had recently experienced unprecedented weather disasters and recovery is still a long way off. Global warming has created uncertainty for many affected by globalisation.

At the end of July, world headlines reported the hottest month recorded in both the Northern Hemisphere and Southern Hemisphere. Rising temperatures affect Distance Families as well.

When moving permanently to a new location, our bodies adjust over time to the local temperatures. But when you’re temporarily thrown into extreme weather on a vacation, for example visiting family, it can be overwhelming.

Coming from New Zealand’s temperate climate, I don’t cope well with intense heat. A few years ago I spent a couple of months in the southern states of the U.S. in June and July. I saw locals clad in jeans, while I was expiring in my coolest sun dress. I vowed and declared I would never again visit the U.S. during those months.

I've maintained I'd be unwise to visit my son and daughter-in-law in Chicago during their winter due to a lack of experience with snow and ice. Reducing the risk of an accident and ending up in a hospital is a top priority. However, an impending grandson's arrival in December is changing those plans. What a nice problem... I’ll need to be super careful.

So what are Distance Families left with? Perhaps just April & May and September to November, depending on where you’re travelling to. Even with open skies and lifted restrictions, Distance Families can struggle to connect in person because of extreme temperatures.