The climate crisis is severely impacting the U.S. medical blood supply, with record heat and extreme weather events contributing to a significant blood shortage this summer, according to the American Red Cross.

As temperatures soar and extreme weather becomes more frequent, blood drives across the nation are being disrupted. In July alone, when over 130 million Americans were under heat advisories, nearly 100 blood drives were affected, leading to a shortfall of over 19,000 donations. The Red Cross reported that its national blood inventory plummeted by more than 25% during this period, while the demand from hospitals remained steady.

Rodney Wilson, a senior biomedical communications specialist with the American Red Cross, emphasized the urgency of the situation, noting that hospitals have had to limit their requests for essential blood types due to the shortage. The number of blood drives canceled due to heat and severe weather was notably higher this summer compared to last year, exacerbating the crisis.

The problem extends beyond the summer months. In early August, Hurricane Debby brought heavy rain, flooding, and power outages to the southeastern U.S., forcing the cancellation of numerous blood drives and further straining the supply. Additionally, wildfires in the western U.S. have disrupted collection efforts, making it increasingly difficult to replenish the national blood inventory.

Efforts to rebuild the blood supply are ongoing, with the American Red Cross taking proactive measures to stock hospitals in areas threatened by natural disasters. However, the organization warns that the situation remains critical as extreme weather continues to complicate collection efforts. The climate crisis is not only altering the frequency and severity of disasters but also challenging the nation’s ability to maintain a stable and sufficient blood supply.