Massachusetts adapts to rising heat after record summer
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Policymakers in Massachusetts are addressing a changing climate as the state experiences increasingly hot summers.
For decades, Massachusetts was known for cold winters, but temperatures have risen by nearly 3.5 degrees Fahrenheit since 1900, and experts forecast a doubling or tripling of 90-degree days by 2050. In response, the state appointed Katie Schlick as its first heat resilience officer, a position previously held only in Arizona, to coordinate efforts across agencies and communities.
Lawmakers are also considering a bill to protect outdoor workers from heat illness, requiring access to water, cool-down breaks, and heat-illness prevention plans when temperatures reach 80 degrees. Local governments are also taking action. The city of Chelsea recently opened a “cool park” with features like shaded picnic areas and a splash pad to offer residents relief from the heat. The Boston Foundation is funding Ms.
Schlick’s position for the next two years, demonstrating how philanthropy can help governments test new initiatives. Experts note that homes in the Northeastern United States were not historically designed to cope with extreme heat, unlike those in warmer regions, and that ongoing investment in heat resilience will be essential as temperatures continue to rise.
