boston Braces for Increasingly Frequent Extreme Heat: Boston officials declared a heat emergency Monday, activating cooling centers across the city as temperatures soared. This comes amid a growing concern that Greater Boston is facing a future with significantly more days of extreme heat due to climate change.
The heat emergency, triggered by a forecast of temperatures exceeding 90 degrees Fahrenheit, prompted the opening of over 50 cooling centers, including libraries and community centers, citywide.The Boston Emergency Management Agency (BEMA) is coordinating the response, and residents are urged to check the city’s website for locations and hours of operation. The declaration follows a summer already marked by multiple heat-related incidents, straining emergency services. Massachusetts General hospital reported a 15% increase in heat-related emergency department visits last week compared to the same period last year, according to Dr. Emily Carter, Chief of Emergency Medicine.
Climate change is projected to dramatically increase the frequency of extreme heat days in the region. A recent study by the University of Massachusetts Boston’s Climate Change Initiative predicts that Greater Boston could experience as many as 80 days per year with temperatures above 90 degrees by mid-century, a ample increase from the current average of approximately 14 days. This projection is based on continued greenhouse gas emissions at current rates. The study specifically highlights the vulnerability of low-income neighborhoods like Dorchester and East Boston, where access to air conditioning is lower and the urban heat island effect is more pronounced.
Understanding Heat Safety: Prolonged exposure to high temperatures can lead to heat exhaustion and heatstroke, both of which are possibly life-threatening.Symptoms of heat exhaustion include heavy sweating, weakness, dizziness, headache, nausea, and muscle cramps. Heatstroke, a more severe condition, can cause high body temperature, confusion, loss of consciousness, and seizures. The City of Boston recommends staying hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids, avoiding strenuous activity during peak heat hours (11 a.m. to 3 p.m.), wearing light-colored and loose-fitting clothing, and taking frequent breaks in air-conditioned environments.Residents are also advised to check on elderly neighbors and those with underlying health conditions.
Resources for staying safe during extreme heat are available on the City of Boston’s website: https://www.boston.gov/departments/emergency-management/keeping-cool-heat.the website includes a map of cooling center locations, tips for preventing heat-related illness, and data on how to recognize and respond to a heat emergency.
Ava Berger can be reached at ava.berger@globe.com. Follow her @Ava_berger_.
