Climate Impacts Group

Summer has barely begun, and already the Pacific Northwest is experiencing a heatwave and record-breaking temperatures. The sweltering conditions are a reminder that heat health risks are a growing concern for many in our region.

The good news is that we have new tools and guidance to catalyze action to prevent illness and death from extreme heat.

On June 22—almost exactly two years after the Pacific Northwest heat dome—EarthLab, the Climate Impacts Group (CIG) and the Center for Health and the Global Environment (CHanGE) will be co-hosting a multifaceted event to share new research and tools that will help save lives during extreme heat. We invite you to join us for…

Beating the Heat: Collective Action for a Safer Northwest 

WHAT: A Panel Q&A with local & regional heat experts, Report Launch & Interactive Tool Demo
WHERE: UW Waterfront Activities Center, Great Room, 3710 Montlake Blvd NE
WHEN: June 22, 5-7 p.m. (doors at 4:45 p.m.)
WHO: Medical professionals, government officials from local and state levels, academics, journalists and community members

RSVP

We will begin at 5 p.m. with an engaging panel discussion of the human impacts of extreme heat, what is being done, and where the gaps and opportunities lie. We’re thrilled to share that our panelist line up includes:

• Lylianna Allala, Climate Justice Director for the Office of Sustainability & Environment at the City of Seattle
• Dr. Cameron Buck, MD, emergency medicine physician with UW Medicine/Valley Medical Center
• Lauren Jenks, Assistant Secretary, Environmental Public Health at Washington State Department of Health
• And more!

Following the panel, UW researchers will present two resources that can help inform and guide response efforts to extreme heat. Dr. Jason Vogel, interim director of the Climate Impacts Group, will present a new report from CIG and partners that outlines immediate, actionable ways to save lives from the next heat event. Dr. Jeremy Hess, director of the Center for Health and the Global Environment, will demonstrate a newly-created Climate Health and Risk (CHaRT) tool from CHanGE that illustrates how a variety of climatic, environmental, social, and economic factors will contribute to future climate-related hazards faced by communities.

The event will conclude with a networking happy hour from 6-7 p.m., with the goal of building a more collaborative approach to mitigating and adapting to future heat health risks. Drinks and small bites will be provided. Attendees will be invited to interact with the tool firsthand at this time and copies of CIG’s report, “In the hot seat: Saving lives from extreme heat in Washington state,” in both Spanish and English will be available to peruse and take home for free.

Register for this free event here and please share with your colleagues! This event is open to the public.