Extreme heat's present and future

I'd like to understand how extreme heat events will be different in the future. To look into the future, I use climate models. Climate models can give us a good idea about how extreme heat will change. However, climate models only tell us about physical aspects of the Earth, like temperature or humidity. I work to translate what climate models are telling us into impacts for humans.

My current project aims to understand how our capacity for activity might change during the hottest parts of the year. Physical activity is crucial for our health, well-being, and economy. Will it be too hot to safely run in the future? What about physical labor, or even climbing stairs? Where will it be too hot to do these daily activities? What amount of global warming will it take to get to that point?

These questions are complicated by human diversity. Take, for example, diversity of age. As we age, we become more vulnerable to heat as our sweat glands degrade. Thus, while a 25-year-old might be safe to go for a run in hot conditions, the same run might be dangerous for even a healthy 65-year-old. I will factor in these physical differences when understanding how extreme heat impacts will change in the future.

This work is ongoing under the mentorship of Dr. Jane Baldwin and other collaborators.

While projections are useful for policy targets and planning, heat is impacting communities in the present. That's why I work with the UCI CLIMATE Justice Initiative and GREEN-MPNA. Together, we empower the local Santa Ana community to bring heat adaptation to those who need it the most.