In recent years, extreme heat events have become a growing concern here in Canada and around the world. Extreme heat events are periods of uncommonly high temperatures (often exceeding historical averages for a specific region) that last for an unusually long time. These events are often characterized by intense daytime heat and elevated humidity, combined with limited nighttime cooling. This can create very hazardous conditions, especially for vulnerable populations.
On July 27th 2023, Secretary-General of the United Nations (UN) Antonio Guterres announced to the world that new data from the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the EU-funded Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S) that July 2023 is set to be the hottest month in the history of humanity. Guterres marked the event with a memorable phrase: “The era of global warming has ended; the era of global boiling has arrived.”
Here in British Columbia, we remember the tragic consequences of the 2021 “heat dome.” The BC Coroners Service reports that between June 25th and July 1st, 2021, 619 people died in the province due to heat-related illness. The majority of those who lost their lives were part of a vulnerable population - older adults with compromised health who lived alone.
If we have crossed into a new threshold of extreme heat, of “global boiling,” what steps can we take to help our communities and our organizations adapt?
Steps to Build Resilience to Extreme Heat in Your Community
Emergency managers, policymakers, planners, and community leaders play an important role in helping to build resilience to extreme heat in their communities. As with many types of hazards, being prepared to respond to extreme heat requires an understanding of where extreme heat can occur, what risks extreme heat brings, who is vulnerable to those risks, and how to help people get through extreme heat safely.
Here are four (4) steps to building resilience to extreme heat in your community:
Map and assess your local risks.
Identify and support vulnerable populations.
Develop response plans.
Integrate temperature resilience into urban planning.
Map and Assess Local Risks
The first step in building resilience to extreme heat is to map and assess the local risks. Identify areas in your community that are most susceptible to extreme heat, such as urban heat islands or regions with limited access to cooling resources.
These images from the NASA/USGS satellite Landsat show the cooling effects of plants on New York City’s heat. On the left, areas of the map that are dark green have dense vegetation. Notice how these regions match up with the dark purple regions—those with the coolest temperatures—on the right. Image credit: Maps by Robert Simmon, using data from the Landsat Program.
Using data from trusted sources (such as Environment and Climate Change Canada), assess local meteorological data and analyze historical temperature trends to identify and understand heat patterns. For example, when your community tends to be at the highest risk of extreme heat. This information will help you understand when and where extreme heat events are likely to occur, enabling you to develop targeted and effective response plans.
Identify and Support Vulnerable Populations
Extreme heat events disproportionately affect vulnerable populations, including the elderly, individuals with pre-existing health conditions, low-income households, and those without access to air conditioning or cooling centers. Recognizing and supporting these at-risk groups is crucial in building resilience. Conduct community outreach programs to educate vulnerable residents about the risks of extreme heat and distribute information about cooling resources and preventive measures. Collaborate with healthcare and community service providers to ensure that vulnerable individuals receive the care and assistance they need during heat waves.
Develop Response Plans
Creating comprehensive response plans is fundamental to effectively managing extreme heat events. Work with relevant stakeholders (such as planning departments, public health agencies, meteorological and environmental specialists, and disaster relief and non-governmental organizations such as the Salvation Army, the United Way, the Canadian Red Cross, local community organizations, and many more) to develop and refine heat emergency plans that address the unique challenges posed by extreme heat. Establish clear protocols for activating cooling centers and disseminating public information during heat waves. Regularly review and update these plans based on lessons learned from past events or exercises.
Consider Temperature Resilience In Urban Planning
To combat the urban heat island effect and build long-term resilience, it is beneficial to integrate temperature resilience into urban planning. Review the community HRVA and heat mapping analysis, together with urban plans. Look for opportunities to incorporate green and cool infrastructure (misting stations, shaded public areas, fountains, and dedicated cooling centers into new development projects and revitalization plans. This may include creating more parks and green spaces, planting trees strategically to provide shade, and promoting residential green-space initiatives. As they continue to emerge, encourage the adoption of cool building technologies to reduce surface temperatures in urban areas.
Need Help with Risk Assessments, Heat Mapping, Response Planning, or Engagement?
CCEM’s emergency management team brings a diversity of experience and expertise to the task of helping communities prepare for, respond to, and recover from emergencies. Contact us today and let’s get the conversation started.