Urban Heat Island Effect
Extreme Temperatures
According to climate projections for Massachusetts from ResilientMA.org, high, low, and average temperatures in Hampshire County are likely to increase significantly over the next century as a result of climate change, as are the occurrences of days over 90°F, 95°F, and 100°F. This pattern change will put long-term stress on a variety of social and natural systems.
Extreme heat events contribute to a worsening of air quality, as high temperatures increase the production of ozone from aerosols such as volatile organic compounds. The US EPA has found that interaction of heat and cardiovascular disease caused approximately 25% of the heat-related deaths since 1999.
Urban Heat Island Effect
Keeping Cool
According to the US EPA, air temperatures in cities, particularly after sunset, can be as much as 22°F (12°C) warmer than the air in neighboring, less developed regions. Areas with concrete (sidewalks, paved streets) absorb less heat than natural surfaces, know as the urban heat effect. As summer days become hotter, this will result in more energy usage to keep our community comfortable.
Increasing the amount of open and park space is one way to address the urban heat island effect. Ensuring all residents have access to even small pocket parks will improve the distribution of green and tree covered areas of town.
Even with more green space there will be very hot days ahead and ensuring there are places to get relief is critical.
Resilient Food Systems
Health Starts with Food
Food systems touch nearly every aspect of resilience. Food production, processing, and distribution have a range of impacts on the natural environment, livelihoods, and access to healthy food options. Supporting local food production and consumption helps boost Northampton's economy while advancing access to fresh food, which also minimizes emissions due to transporting food from outside of the region.
Resilient Food Systems
Strength Through Self Reliance
Addressing resiliency in our food systems will take a comprehensive approach that looks not only at how climate change and disrupted weather patterns will impact local producers but also how the distribution systems serve human needs and are potentially vulnerable to unexpected shocks.
To accomplish this, Northampton will develop a food systems and farming resilience plan. Part one of this planning process would assess the percentage of Northampton’s food that comes from local agriculture; identify the climate vulnerabilities that Northampton farms will face from increased heat, flooding, and extreme weather; and identify strategies to enhance the resilience of local small-scale food production and distribution. Part two would focus on the Town’s broader food system, and identify major food sources/suppliers and regional distributors for the city; distribution routes; groceries within the city; and vulnerabilities in the food system network.
Emergency Management & Hazard Mitigation
Reinforcing Planning
While much of the focus of the Resilience and Regeneration Plan is to reduce our contribution to climate change and address the inequalities that make our community vulnerable to all kinds of threats, these are not substitutes for being prepared to respond to sudden events.
Northampton’s 2020 Hazard Mitigation Plan now makes explicit connections to new threats caused by climate change like extreme temperatures as well as how historical hazards like flood risk are changing along with rainfall patterns. Having both plans reinforce each other helps ensure that we take a comprehensive approach to improving resilience across all government functions.
Emergency Management & Hazard Mitigation
Awareness Saves Lives
CodeRED is an emergency notification system through which town officials can contact residents and businesses by phone or text to delivery important community alerts during times of emergency.
Set up an account today and stay informed by visiting the CodeRED website.
