Climate Change
As a Greater Boston coastal watershed, we are seeing more intense rainfall, heat waves, and extreme storms. The most severe harms from climate change fall disproportionately upon underserved communities who are least able to prepare for, and recover from, heat waves, poor air quality, flooding, and other impacts.
Flooding on a residential street in Medford, 2019. Credit: Erica Wood
Inland flooding and extreme precipitation
Historically, Massachusetts had relatively light rain and snow in regular patterns, with around one storm every three days. Now, more of our rain and snow is coming as big winter Nor’easters, summer thunderstorms, and hurricanes — with longer dry periods in between.
We have seen the devastating impact that flash flooding can have in other parts of the state, and the Mystic River watershed is not immune. Intense rainstorms put strain on our aging underground infrastructure. When more rain falls than the system can handle, it floods streets and buildings, putting people and the things we need to survive at risk.
extreme heat
According to data from Climate Ready Boston, there are now twice as many summer days above 90 degrees as in 1990. By 2070, there will be more than a month’s worth.
This hotter climate will hit some watershed communities harder than others. In general, areas with less tree cover and more hard, dark surfaces are hotter than surrounding areas because of the urban heat island effect. In 2021, MyRWA worked with the Museum of Science and a crew of volunteers to measure how this plays out across the 21 cities and towns in the Mystic. The map below represents the data we collected.
Climate Ready Boston projections of summer heat
3 PM Ambient Temperature Model for the Mystic River Watershed. Temperature differences across the watershed range by up to 10 degrees F - Credit: Museum of Science and Mystic River Watershed Association
coastal flooding
Disproportionate impact
Extreme weather hits some people harder than others. People with greater exposure, such as outdoor workers or greater sensitivity, such as people in poor health, are affected more by heat waves and storms. People who lack the financial or emotional resources have lower adaptive capacity to recover. These three characteristics differ among populations and affect their vulnerability to climate change. Additionally, studies have shown that the most severe harms from climate change fall disproportionately upon underserved communities. This means that the environmental justice populations within the watershed are being hardest hit.
What Can we do?
MyRWA is helping our communities adapt to more intense rainfall, heat waves, extreme storms and the disproportionate impact these can have on different residents.
