Already temperatures hit 90 degrees over the weekend, and we expect to see the dangerous temperatures from last summer repeat this year.
The Mystic River Watershed Association is part of a coalition of Greater Boston non-profit organizations and institutions collaborating on a week of talks and activities designed to help communities and individuals understand the risks of and prepare for another season of heat.
The Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC), Museum of Science (MOS) and Mystic River Watershed Council (MyRWA) launched Heat Preparedness Week with a virtual public forum titled, “From Snow Days to Heat Waves: Climate Impact on Heat & Health in the Boston Area” on Monday, May 24.
The rest of this week will feature additional daily programming designed to elevate issues of climate change and extreme heat just ahead of the unofficial start of summer on Memorial Day. Program partners will also be sharing resources covering individual and institutional ways to beat extreme heat.
“The most vulnerable in our population are consistently disproportionately impacted—whether it is from COVID-19 or climate change impacts. We are committed to changing this narrative for our community members, particularly focusing on environmental justice communities who are already overburdened,” said Melanie Gárate, Climate Resiliency Manager at the Mystic River Watershed Association. “Through the Resilient Mystic Collaborative we are planning and prioritizing regional projects to foster resilience for both people and place.”
If you missed the program that explored the intersection of climate change, heat and health, you can watch the video recording here. The full slide deck is here.
Take 10 minutes to also read the Op-Ed cowritten by Melanie Gárate published in Commonwealth Magazine.
This program was funding in part by the Commonwealth’s Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness Program, speakers at last night’s forum.
