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Working Groups

 

electronic road sign that has extreme heat alert on screen
Extreme Heat Working Group

If you wish to be added to EII’s mailing list related to extreme heat research and/or receive funding opportunities notifications email Xime Trujillo.

The University of Pennsylvania Extreme Heat Working Group is a scholarly community focused on studying and developing solutions to extreme heat events. 

Extreme heat poses significant threats to ecosystems and human health. These effects are compounded when combined with high humidity, which hinders the body’s temperature regulation. Heat waves have increased in frequency and intensity in the 21st century due to human-induced greenhouse gas emissions, leading mortality and morbidity, as well as wildfires, crop failures, and infrastructure damage. In urban areas like Philadelphia, the “heat island effect” can render certain neighborhoods particularly vulnerable to the health impacts of heat. Extreme heat events are predicted to continue to rise with intensified climate change and ongoing urbanization. To tackle these challenges, the Extreme Heat Working Group is a collaborative effort of experts to enhance understanding and develop solutions to mitigate harmful effects on people, infrastructure, and ecosystems.

Goals:

  • Share ongoing research related to present and future impacts on humans and animals
  • Support the development of technology, policy, and societal solutions to mitigate detrimental effects of extreme heat
  • Collaborate with community partners to implement solutions in and around Philadelphia and beyond.

Resources