Program on the Environment

Over the years the progression of climate change has created extreme heat events that directly impact communities and their ability to prepare against the threat. These heat events are expected to continue to worsen in severity and impact those most vulnerable to heat, demonstrating a need for a solution. The purpose of this work was to find effective strategies that help to plan against the impacts that extreme heat has on those most vulnerable to the issue. To accomplish this, I aided Public Health – Seattle & King County in creating a web page with relevant information to be used by preparedness professionals to respond to an extreme heat event. I also communicated with a diverse range of professionals around planning for extreme heat and conducted a literature review around relevant information. Through this, I learned that many areas around the world are not properly prepared for the various effects of extreme heat or have little to no preparedness plans in place in the case of an extreme heat event. Creating preparedness plans to be utilized in the case of an extreme heat event and incorporating action to serve those most vulnerable are important first steps to climate adaptation. Having preparedness plans in place can work to lessen the effects of climate change throughout King County and can also serve as a resource for other jurisdictions to use as an example to be better prepared for the future impacts due to climate change.