Last week, Furnace Creek in the Mojave Desert in the US may have experienced the highest temperature ever recorded on earth: 54.4 degrees.

North America’s recent heat wave has pushed the limits of its infrastructure and shelter in disturbing ways.

It prompted climate and environment editor Nick O’Malley and environment reporter Miki Perkins to take a look at how Australia’s suburbs are likely to cope with increasing temperatures.

Nick joins Tory Maguire on this episode of Please Explain to discuss.