Climate Change and Extreme Heat Events

1 Climate Change and Extreme HEAT Events . 1. Contents Overview ..2. Understanding Extreme Heat What Is an Extreme Heat Event?..3. Health Effects of Extreme Heat Vulnerability to Extreme Heat Climate Change and Extreme Heat Climate Change and a Warming Future Climate Extreme Heat Events Will Become More Frequent and More Projected Health Impacts of Extreme Heat Events in the Responding to Extreme Heat Extreme Heat Programs: Working to Protect Public How Do Extreme Heat Programs Perform?..11. More Extreme Heat Events Will Increase Need for Public Health All scientific information in this document is derived from peer-reviewed assessments, including those published by the united states Global Change Research Program and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change , from other peer-reviewed literature, or from federal government agencies.

2 2 Climate Change and Extreme Heat Events Overview Extreme heat Events pose a serious danger to people throughout the united states . Studies conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have shown that exposure to Extreme heat can increase discomfort and fatigue, cause heat cramps, and increase emergency room visits and It can also kill. From 1999 through 2009, Extreme heat exposure caused or contributed to more than 7,800 deaths in the united states (Kochanek et al, 2011). Extreme heat is a real danger to human health that will become worse with time. Experts project that as our Climate changes, Extreme heat Events in the united states will become more frequent, longer lasting, and more ,3 By the end of this century, extremely high temperatures that currently occur once every 20 years could happen as often as every two to four Learning about how to prepare for and respond to Extreme heat Events will help protect our communities, especially the most vulnerable populations, from avoidable death and hardship.

3 This document describes Extreme RARE HEAT Events WILL BECOME MORE COMMON. heat Events , how an Extreme heat event threatens public health, and how to prepare for and respond to such an event. It explains how the frequency, duration, and severity of Extreme heat Events are increasing as a result of Climate Change , and includes links to local programs and real-world examples from across the country. By the end of this century, an Extreme heat event that currently occurs once every 20 years could occur every two to four years in most parts of the country. This example is based on how the Climate is expected to Change under a high greenhouse gas emissions scenario (A2; see page 7 for a description of scenarios).

4 2. 3. Understanding Extreme Heat Events What Is an Extreme Heat Event? While there is no single agreed upon definition of an Extreme heat event, most definitions refer to an extended period of time (several days or more) with unusually hot weather conditions that potentially can harm human The Environmental Protection Agency defines Extreme heat Events as periods of summertime weather that are substantially hotter and/or more humid than typical for a given location at that time of year. 4. Extreme HEAT EVENT: CHICAGO, JULY 1995. 500 110 . 450 105 . NUMBER OF DAILY DEATHS. 400 100 . TEMPERATURE ( F). 350 95 . 300 90 . 250 85 . 200 80 . 150 75 . 100 70 . 1-Jul 6-Jul 11-Jul 16-Jul 21-Jul 26-Jul 31-Jul DATE.

5 Mortality, 1995 Mortality average, 1990-2000. Daily max temp ( F), 1995 Daily max temp ( F) average, 1990-2000. One of the most severe Extreme heat Events in recent history occurred in July 1995 in Chicago. During this event, the extended increase in daily maximum temperatures (black line) as compared to the average for 1990-2000 (blue line) had an estimated result of more than 650 4 Climate Change and Extreme Heat Events Health Effects of Extreme Heat Events DEATHS in the united states ATTRIBUTED. Heat waves can be deadly. Extreme heat was the leading TO WEATHER CONDITIONS, 2000 2009 6. cause of weather-related deaths in the united states Winter Storm from 2000 through From 1999 through 2009, Cold HEAT.

6 Extreme heat exposure caused more than 7,800 deaths Lightning 7% 5% 24%. in the united 8%. Wind 9%. In addition to deaths, Extreme heat Events cause a wide range of other health problems such as rashes, cramps, 11% 23%. heat exhaustion, and heat stroke. Extreme heat can also Tornado 13%. make existing medical conditions worse. Though harder Hurricane to count than deaths, these health conditions affect far Flood more people and lead to extra emergency room visits and Extreme heat Events are a problem around the world. For example, in 2003, an Extreme heat event in Europe killed 14,800. people in France Extreme HEAT Events CAUSE A RANGE OF HEALTH PROBLEMS.

7 Deaths Require medical attention: SE. emergency room/emergency VE. medical services, physician RIT. office, clinic visit Y. OF. EFF. Heat cramps, heat exhaustion, heat stroke EC. T. Mild symptoms, discomfort, subtle effects ( , skin eruptions, heat fatigue). PROPORTION OF POPULATION AFFECTED. Extreme heat Events cause health problems and can make other health problems worse. Mild effects are more common, but in Extreme cases, people can 5. Vulnerability to Extreme Heat Events Everyone should take steps CERTAIN CHARACTERISTICS INCREASE RISK. to protect themselves and their FROM Extreme TEMPERATURES. families' health during an Extreme AL CHARACTERIST. INDIVIDU ICS.

8 Heat event, but some people are Youth Advanced age more vulnerable than others. (age 0-4 years) (65+ years). Young children, people aged 65 Physical impairments Poverty and older, persons with certain Cognitive Use of certain prescription impairments disabilities, those living in poverty medications or social isolation, and the Social isolation ( shut-ins ) Homelessness INCREASE IN HEALTH RISK. homeless have a much higher risk Limited community DURING Extreme HEAT EVENT Lack of access to of heat-related health problems partnerships air-conditioned locations/shelters than other people living in a Elevated crime rate No Extreme heat ,9,10,11 Increase in paved event program surface areas and loss Poor/inappropriate of native vegetation housing construction If current population trends Urban heat island continue, the number of COMM.

9 U N ITY C H A R A C TE RI S TI C S. vulnerable Americans aged 65. and older will continue to Certain personal and community characteristics increase the risk of In addition, the number of experiencing health problems during an Extreme heat ,9,10,11. people living in urban areas may continue to increase exposing more vulnerable individuals in URBAN HEAT ISLANDS: MAKING A BAD SITUATION WORSE. the future to the urban heat CERTAIN CHARACTERISTICS INCREASE RISK. island effect (see figure at FROM Extreme TEMPERATURES. right).2 Changes in health care, transportation patterns, and urban design could either increase or decrease the risk, but these changes are harder to predict than population trends.

10 Cities can be up to 10 F warmer than surrounding rural areas and can maintain warmer temperatures throughout the night. Concrete and asphalt in cities absorb and hold heat. Tall buildings reduce potentially cooling air flows. Urban environments may lack trees and other vegetation that provide shade and increase cooling through evaporation. As a result, city-dwellers may experience longer and more severe periods of Extreme heat compared to rural or suburban 6 Climate Change and Extreme Heat Events Climate Change and Extreme Heat Events Climate Change and a Warming World The Earth is getting warmer because people are adding greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide and methane, to the atmosphere.