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Don't you think heat waves suck? 20 photos show how old-timers beat the heat.

Lately it can feel like we've somehow accidentally opened a portal to the heart of the sun.

[rebelmouse-image 19530551 dam="1" original_size="750x421" caption="Pictured: Phoenix, Arizona. Image from NASA Goddard Space Flight Center/Wikimedia Commons." expand=1]Pictured: Phoenix, Arizona. Image from NASA Goddard Space Flight Center/Wikimedia Commons.

Unfortunately, heat waves are getting stronger and more common today, thanks to climate change. According to this article by The Guardian, a third of the world is at risk of dangerous heat waves today. While heat waves are hitting us more frequently now than in the past, 100 years ago people still had to deal with the occasional temperature spike. How did they do it?

The pictures from then show how people coped in ways as surprising as they are relatable.

Here are 20 examples of what I mean:

1. Need ice? That's going to require a little more muscle power than just walking over to your freezer.

Not going to lie, that looks incredibly refreshing. Photo from 1932. Photo from Francis M.R.Hudson/Topical Press Agency/Getty Images.

2. Back then, ice didn't come in plastic bags from a freezer outside 7-Eleven. You had to get it delivered.

August 1911. Photo from Topical Press Agency/Getty Images.

This photo's from 1911, just a couple years before the first electrically-powered home refrigerators hit the scene. Before then, the ice box was literally that — a box kept cool by giant chunks of ice.

3. Of course, once you carry that load of ice in, you have to have a little sit. Sometimes on it. With an ice cream.

Damp shorts are a small price to pay for the most refreshing chair ever. Photo from Fox Photos/Getty Images.

4. At some point, you decide your fashion sense is less important than keeping cool.

It's hard to keep a stiff upper lip when you have the funnies sitting on your head. July 1913. Photo from Topical Press Agency/Getty Images.

5. Wet pants are a small price to pay for a chance to go wading.

A group of girls goes wading into the Serpentine in London's Hyde Park. August 1911. Photo from Topical Press Agency/Getty Images.

6. And everybody's gonna need a hat.

These men are so happy about their hats, it's almost inappropriate. Circa 1928. Photo from Topical Press Agency/Getty Images.

7. Edwardian gentlemen know to act normally even if one is sweltering in a suit and bow tie. For comfort, one may remove one's jacket only.

Aww, yeah. May 1914. Photo from Topical Press Agency/Getty Images.

8. If you've ever lived anywhere super dry, you know all about spraying the driveway to keep the dust down.

1925. Photo from Topical Press Agency/Getty Images.

9. Or taking an extra bath to cool off before bed.

August 1919. Photo from Topical Press Agency/Getty Images

10. Summer is the perfect time to take a day off and hit the beach with your friends.

May 1925. Photo from Topical Press Agency/Getty Images.

11. And everyone else's friends too, apparently.

A beach in Bognor Regis in 1933. Photo from Topical Press Agency/Getty Images.

12. At some point, it's hot enough to ignore the signs and just jump in a public fountain.

1912. Photo from Topical Press Agency/Getty Images

13. And live your whole life in the water.

Circa 1930. Photo from Hulton Archive/Getty Images

14. Literally — your whole life.

Can't imagine doing that with a Macbook. Circa 1937. Photo from Topical Press Agency/Getty Images.

15. Summer is the time when swimwear becomes daywear then eveningwear.

1929. Photo from Fox Photos/Getty Images.

16. No matter what you're wearing, lounge around in general. It's too damn hot to do anything else.

That is the slump of man who's decided that it's too hot to care anymore. Paris, 1929. Photo from Hulton Archive/Getty Images.

17. Get some sun.

1933. Photo from Topical Press Agency/Getty Images.

18. Of course, in a heat wave, you've got to make sure to watch our for your animal friends too.

May 1936. Photo from E. Dean/Topical Press Agency/Getty Images.

19. Especially if that means letting them join for a dip.

Horses in the Thames. 1935. Photo from David Savill/Topical Press Agency/Getty Images.

20. Or making sure they've got the right accessories.

1928. Photo from Fox Photos/Getty Images.

As the Earth gets warmer, heat waves are likely to increase in both frequency and strength, so take a page from these summer-sun veterans and play it safe.

Drink plenty of water. Keep an eye out for signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Try to do outside chores in the morning or evening, when it tends to be less hot, if you can.

And keep an eye out for tricky reporters and cameras because, who knows, in 100 years, you might end up on a list just like this one.

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Heroes

We could lose 110 million good nights of sleep thanks to climate change.

It's finally summer! Which means fun, sun, and nights of melting into your sheets.

[rebelmouse-image 19531671 dam="1" original_size="420x241" caption="GIF from "Adventure Time"/Cartoon Network." expand=1]GIF from "Adventure Time"/Cartoon Network.

Long nights of trying to find the cool side of your pillow might be more common in the future.

A paper published on March 25, 2017, in the journal Science Advances found that climate change, in addition to affecting just about every other facet of life, might keep us up at night too.

The researchers found two things: 1. Yes, it sucks to sleep in hot weather, and 2. We better get used to it.

As we lie down for the night, our internal body temperatures fall. This is a natural part of falling asleep. If it's too warm out, our bodies struggle to cool down, which can make sleep harder.

The researchers compared self-reported CDC data from 765,000 U.S. residents with weather data and climate models. They found that raising the temperature one degree Celsius would disrupt 110 million nights of sleep each year in the United States.

Mapped out, the effect would hit hardest in the western and northern United States, especially around Wyoming, Minnesota, and northern New York.

Bad sleep can make people irritable and make it harder to think. It's been linked to car accidents and increased blood pressure. You can even start hallucinating if you don't get some shut-eye!

Luckily, there are things you can do to get better sleep, both today and in the future.

If you're already sweating, there are ways to stay cool at night. The air conditioner is an obvious choice but can suck up energy. For low-tech options, buckwheat pillows can stay cooler at night. There are chill-able pillows and mattress pads as well (or you can make your own: fill a bottle with ice water or throw a sock filled with rice in the freezer for 30 minutes). You could also ditch the big fabric mattress for a hammock.

Of course, in the long-term, the more we limit climate change, the less we'll have to deal with this. Luckily, there are a ton of ways to both fight climate change and protect the environment.

Sleep tight!

Why summer is so unfair for people in the city, as explained by science.

Many cities around the U.S. are kind of awful to walk around right now.

Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images.

Stepping outside feels like stepping into one of those Quizno's sandwich toasters.

Photo by Andrew Burton/Getty Images.

And if you've ever thought, "Man, this has got to be the hottest place for miles," well ... you might be right.

Photo by Chris Hondros/Getty Images.

(Though there might be something we can do about it.)

Cities are hotter than their surrounding countrysides. Sometimes more than 20 degrees hotter.

Photo by Chris Hondros/Getty Images.

That's according to the Environmental Protection Agency.

This is because of something called the "heat island effect."

Photo from Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images.

Our cities are basically giant jumbles of asphalt and concrete — both of which love to hold onto heat from the sun.

Photo by Andre Manoel/Flickr.

The countryside, on the other hand, is full of stuff like dirt and trees, which tend to stay cooler.

Photo from David McNew/Getty Images.

Cities are full of heat we produce ourselves – including, paradoxically, from air conditioners.

Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images.

Air conditioning works by essentially taking all the heat from inside the building and shoving it out the window.

You know, where all the rest of us are.

Not to mention all that car exhaust.

Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images.

This excess heat in cities can be dangerous — and it's likely to get worse.

Photo from Asif Hassan/AFP/Getty Images.

Heat exhaustion and heat stroke are a serious problem, especially for sick people, infants, and anyone who can't find a way to cool off.

Unfortunately, climate change is predicted to increase the number and severity of heat waves.

OK, so yes, that seems bad, but there's good news. We know how to defeat the heat island effect.

Photo from Alex Wong/Getty Images.

One trick? More green space.

Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images.

Trees and plants provide shade and don't retain heat the same way concrete does. They can also help reduce air pollution.

Plants aren't just good on the street – they're effective on our roofs as well.

Photo by Ryan Somma/Flickr.

Even just painting the roof of a building white can help.

Beyond city design, individuals can also help keep cities cool by creating green spaces, like community gardens.

An urban garden in Fort Myers, Florida. Photo from Stars Complex Urban Garden/Flickr.

Or even just by trying to drive less and use less electricity in the summer.

Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images.

There are a ton of clever tips for keeping cool instead of reaching for that air conditioner in the summer.

Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images.

So the next time someone says, "This city is way too hot," you look 'em dead in the eye and tell them they're right.

Photo by Johannes Simon/Getty Images.

Then take them down to city hall or your local garden store and show them how we can help keep our cities cool and safe.

Photo by Oli Scarff/Getty Images.

Family

Why eating spicy food helps you stay cool and 10 other ways to beat the heat.

Summer is officially here, and one thing's for certain:

GIF via "Scrubs."

And while summer and warm weather typically go hand in metaphorical hand, this heat is unprecedented.

For days, the southwest U.S. has seen record-setting temperatures with highs reminiscent of a pre-heating oven.

Tucson, Arizona, hit 115 degrees on June 19, 2016, breaking a more than 20-year-old heat record. And Southern California is facing wildfires, too, as rising temperatures fan the flames.

A plane drops fire retardant in the Angeles National Forest in Southern California. Photo by David McNew/Getty Images.

Heatwaves are more than a sweaty struggle, though — they can be really dangerous.

When it comes to extreme temperatures, it can be difficult to know how our bodies will react, and situations can go from "just fine" to "catastrophic" in a matter of minutes. In mid-June, intense temperatures claimed the lives of hikers on four different trails in Arizona.

"It really shows how critical this heat can be and how it can really sneak up on you," Capt. Larry Subervi, a spokesman for the Phoenix Fire Department told The Arizona Republic.

Whether you're in the Southwest or waging your own battle with the sun, here are 11 easy (and affordable) ways to beat the heat and stay safe.

1. Ice cream. The answer is always ice cream.

This may seem like a pretty vanilla solution, but when it comes to the rocky roads of summer heat, don't drive yourself bananas. Just dish up some ice cream (or sorbet or ice pops) and wait this whole thing out.

GIF via Pusheen.

2. Dress for sun success — sun-cess, if you will.

As the temperature rises, think light: Swap heavy, dark colored clothes for lighter alternatives like linen, jute, or even cotton. Thinner, lighter fabrics will keep you cool and absorb less heat. And don't forget your hat!

3. Visit a community cooling station.

In periods of blistering heat, local communities, churches, and nonprofit organizations will often organize temporary cooling and hydration stations. These shelters offer bottled water and a safe place to cool off. Some even provide sunscreen, hats, and bandannas, anything to protect people from the heat.

A young girl takes a break at a Chicago cooling station. Photo by Tim Boyle/Getty Images.

4. Eat something spicy.

This may sound silly, but eating spicy food can actually keep you cool. It's a peculiar phenomenon called gustatory sweating. The condensed version: You eat spicy foods, your start to sweat, and as that sweat evaporates, you cool off. One the one hand, it can be time consuming, but on the other hand, tacos.

5. Or drink something mild.

The menthol found in mint can trick our brains into thinking we're cold, so a cup of iced peppermint tea can be the perfect refreshment on a hot day. And drinking plenty of water is absolutely vital. Staying hydrated is key to preventing heat illnesses.

Photo (cropped) by Esad Hajderevic/Flickr.

6. Go ahead, take a day off ... from strenuous exercise that is.

Are you one of those people who runs everyday or is just a mess without your daily bicycle commute? Physical fitness is great, but when heat strikes, exercising outside can be dangerous. Skip the outdoor workout, or if you can, move it to the gym. If you simply have to get outdoors, go before sunrise or at dusk.

GIF via "Harvey Beaks."

7. Be a fan's biggest fan.

Fans are an affordable, mobile, way to deliver cool air just where you want it, which is often more cost-effective than cooling down your entire home.

GIF via "The Simpsons."

8. Freeze your way to a good night's sleep.

Fold your pillowcase and slip it into a plastic bag. Place it in the freezer, and put it back on your pillow just before bed. The cooling sensation won't last all night, but the burst of cold may be just enough to help you get some rest.

GIF via "Monsters Inc."

9. Go ahead and be shady.

Keep your home cool by drawing blinds and shades when the sun is out. When you're ready for new ones, pick lights colors that reflect heat.

Photo (cropped) by Shayak Sen/Flickr.

10. Get your fill of free AC and entertainment at the movies.

OK, so you have to pay to get in, but once you do, you've got hours of uninterrupted, conditioned air in a big, dark room watching (hopefully) an entertaining, (or at the very least) loud story. Trying to save some dough? See a matinee, and check your local theater for weekday specials.

See also your local bowling alley or museum. GIF via Cartoon Network.

11. When all else fails, get more ice cream.

It's hot out there, and you've earned it.

GIF via "Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt."

However you cool off this summer, stay safe, look out for your friends and neighbors, and have fun.

Because all the sweating aside, that's what this season is all about.

Heroes

India just set a scary new heat record. It should be a warning.

To say that it was "shorts weather" in Rajasthan, India, yesterday would be ... a bit of an understatement.

That's 51 degrees Celsius. Which is 123.8 degrees Fahrenheit. Which is not only the hottest temperature ever recorded in that country — it's not all that far off from the safe internal temperature for a cooked chicken.

That's ... more than a little alarming.

OK, but just because it was super hot in one place at one time doesn't prove that global warming is a thing.

A man splashes cold water on himself in Kolkata, India. Photo by Jorge Royan/Wikimedia Commons.

True! Single extreme weather events can't prove or disprove global climate trends. What can prove them is actual long-term data. And that, unfortunately, keeps piling up.

January 2016 was the hottest single month on record.

Alright! Warm January! Heck yeah. I can get down with that. Photo via iStock.

Until it was beaten by...

February 2016, which smashed January's record like a particularly smashy bug.

This is getting a lil' weird, though. Photo via iStock.

February had a nice run, until it ran into...

March 2016, which totally owned February, ate its lunch, and kicked it out the door.

Now it's a little scary. Photo via iStock.

You can guess where this is going next. March's temperature record lasted all of no days at all before it was bested by...

April 2016, which was actually the 12th consecutive hottest month of all time.

Today's forecast: Angry sun. Photo via iStock.

Dang.

The good news is, for the first time in forever, we have something resembling a plan.

World leaders, cheering. Photo by Francois Guillot/Getty Images.

Last year in Paris, delegates from 195 countries, including top polluters the U.S. and China, signed the most comprehensive climate agreement of all time, each pledging to limit emissions in order to keep the total global temperature increase under 2 degrees Celsius.

Great, right? Pretty great.

But there's a hitch on the horizon.

Namely, this guy:

Photo by Mark Lyons/Getty Images.

Donald Trump told Reuters reporters yesterday that as president, he'd "re-negotiate" the Paris Agreement "at minimum."

"At a maximum, I may do something else," he warned.

Do we really want to find out what "something else" is, America?

Trump is, of course, free to say what he wants (and boy, does he know it, see his comments on women, Muslims and immigrants as evidence).

Given, however, that his approach to one of the most serious issues of our time is at best vague and at worst an implicit threat to human civilization, it's important that Americans who care about global warming exercise our freedom to not vote for him or any other politician that doesn't promise to take serious steps to combat climate change.

There's simply too much at stake.

Not just sea level rise. Not just massive population displacement. And not just worldwide crop devastation or extreme weather — but the loss of countless lives.

The good news? We still have a chance to vote that future down.

Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images.

Let's not waste it, 'kay?