Session 2 Linking Knowledge to Society: Innovative Solutions for Reducing Heat’s Health Impacts in the Northeast US

Monday, 13 January 2020: 10:30 AM-12:00 PM
Host: 11th Conference on Environment and Health
Chair:
Augusta Williams, Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health, Environmental Health, Boston, MA
CoChair:
Hunter Jones, NOAA, Climate Program Office, Silver Spring, MD

In the Northeast US, heatwaves are projected to increase in frequency, severity, and duration, and the length of the heat season may stretch further into spring and fall. While this region of the country does not have temperatures that are as extreme as other locations, a low prevalence of air conditioning and historically old buildings that were designed to retain heat during cold winters makes it particularly vulnerable to extreme heat exposures. This session will explore solutions for mitigating heat risk in the Northeast US. Innovative strategies that address both the unique vulnerability of the Northeast US and the pitfalls of solely relying on air conditioning will be discussed with local scientists, health practitioners, and decision makers. Given that the Northeast US has not yet committed to widespread penetration of air conditioning, this session will explore innovative alternative strategies for adapting to increasing heat extremes and mitigating heat related illness. We encourage abstracts that focus on how scientific knowledge is used in decision-making, and invite decision-makers and practitioners from disciplines who may not usually attend an AMS meeting to join us to share their work.

Papers:
10:45 AM
.2
Extreme Heat Planning in Boston, MA
Erin Polich, Boston Public Health Commission, Boston, MA

11:15 AM
.4
What is a "safe" indoor, warm season, temperature?
Chris Uejio, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL; and E. Gonsoroski

11:30 AM
.5
Spatial Patterns of Heat Vulnerability Constituents Across Massachusetts
Leila Heidari, Boston University, Boston, MA; and P. L. Kinney and M. P. Fabian

11:45 AM
.6
Matching Statistically Downscaled Climate Projections to Northeastern U.S.A. Heat Application Sensitivities
Keith W. Dixon, GFDL, Princeton, NJ; and D. Adams-Smith, J. Lanzante, and E. Mecray

- Indicates paper has been withdrawn from meeting
- Indicates an Award Winner