Differential Vulnerability to Extreme Heat Events Among the UC Campuses: A quantitative analysis of social vulnerability to extreme heat in communities surrounding UC Campuses
University of California, Office of the President, University of California, Davis
Description
Extreme heat events are becoming more frequent, intense, and longer as a result of global climate change. Individual characteristics and conditions amplify exposure and impact of extreme heat events. I seek to explore how each University of California (UC) campus community is socially vulnerable to extreme heat in comparison to each other. Using data from CalAdapt and CalEnviroScreen, I created three cumulative impact indices on the census tract and campus scale using historic (1961-1990), mid-century (2035-2064), and end of century (2070-2099) climate projections (RCP 4.5). I analyzed the scores to determine which UC campuses were most vulnerable and experienced the highest exposure to extreme heat days. I found that UC Merced and UC Riverside were the most vulnerable overall, and experienced high exposure to extreme heat and high social vulnerability. I also developed four categories of vulnerability which each index score adheres to. The results of this tool can be used by campus planners and stakeholders to inform decision-making on extreme heat adaptation and mitigation. The index methodology can be replicated for other universities and localities to analyze social vulnerability to extreme heat.