1. Scope

Keywords

Rationale

Climate change can exacerbate existing health threats or create new public health challenges through a variety of pathways such as extreme heat, flooding, poor air quality (including the impacts of wildfire smoke), food, water and energy shortages, changes in infectious agents, population displacement, heat-related illnesses, cardiopulmonary illness, food, water, and vector-borne diseases and mental health consequences and stress. Where people live and their age, health, income, or ability to access health care resourcescan positively or negatively influence peoples vulnerability to climate change and extreme weather effects. Minority, low income/economically depressed and indigenous communities are often the most vulnerable most overburdened by environmental and public health stressors. (US EPA) Various public and private entities have created mapping tools and community benefits assessment guidance to address climate change impacts such as Flooding, Wildfires, extreme temperature, and economic disparities. Most notability the US EPA has developed tools to help communities anticipate, plan for, and adapt to the changing climate. These tools cover Air Quality, Water Management, Waste Management & Emergency Response, Public Health and Adaptation Planning and Environmental Justice. Some states have their own map tools available to assist with identifying highly impacted or vulnerable communities and the cumulative environmental risk such as California CalEnviroScreen 3.0 and the State of Washington Tracking Network. Nonprofits such as First Street Foundation mapped the impact of flooding to communities of color living in Chicago and Fort Lauderdale and found that Nearly twice as many properties may be susceptible to flood damage than previously thought. Another nonprofit, the ITRC 2021 Sustainable Resilient Remediation Guidance offers social and economic goals and broad indicators.