The relationship between climate change and the frequency and intensity of extreme heat events is now well established. General circulation models of climate change predict that heatwaves will become more frequent and intense, especially in the higher latitudes, affecting large metropolitan areas that are not well adapted to them.

Columbia, once marketed by the local convention and visitors bureau as “Famously Hot,” is no stranger to extreme heat, and in coming years, it’s predicted to increase. Extreme heat is an issue that the City of Columbia will continue to address with help from the Climate Protection Action Committee and other environmental organizations.

Check out Heat.gov, the new website for the National Integrated Heat Health Information System (NIHHIS). This new site is the premier source of information regarding heat and health for the nation. This portal seeks to improve federal, state, and local information and capacity to reduce the health, economic, and infrastructural impacts of extreme heat.