America's Preparedness Report Card 2015

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Massachusetts

Massachusetts Extreme Heat

Massachusetts is one of the nation's leaders in preparing for future extreme heat risks. The state has addressed climate change-related extreme heat risks in its adaptation plan, and it has already begun to implement resilience strategies outlined in the plan.

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Action

For more information on how prepared Massachusetts is for its growing extreme heat threat, read the detailed state summary.

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Is Massachusetts taking action?

  • The Climate Change Adaptation Report for Massachusetts (published 2011) supports the identification, development, and implementation of strategies to advance Massachusetts’ ability to adapt to climate change risks including extreme heat
  • The Massachusetts Department of Public Health produced an interactive GIS-based climate change vulnerability map that shows numerous heat vulnerability indicators
  • The Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act (MEPA) Regulations were revised as of May 2013 to require all state agencies to prepare for climate change impacts including extreme heat

did you know...

  • Currently, Massachusetts rarely experiences days when heat exceeds dangerous levels; by 2050, it is projected to see more than 10 danger days a year
  • Massachusetts is among the top 10 fastest warming states in the country, based on annual average temperatures since 1970