Extreme heat

two people walking toward MIT Building 66

MIT is working collaboratively to address the risks of climate change and its anticipated impacts on the campus and community, including extreme and prolonged heat events.

Heat Risk Projections: MIT Campus and City of Cambridge

Heat risk projections from the State of Massachusetts and the City of Cambridge show that the campus could see approximately 23-30 days per year of 90 deg F heat, triple the approximate number of days (10) during the historical baseline of 1971-2000,.  More frequent and extreme heat can impact the health and well-being of MIT’s community by disrupting nights of sleep, causing heat-related illnesses, and exacerbating underlying health conditions.  

Heat Risk Projections
High heat days per year in Cambridge are projected to increase, a trend expected even under lower emissions scenarios (City of Cambridge, 2021).

 

Heat Risks

More hot days: Research predicts an accelerated rate of increase to average temperatures, with more days of extreme heat. Compared to the period from 1971 - 2000, when an average of 11 days per year were over 90 degrees, there may be as many as 40 days over 90 degrees by 2030 and 90 days by 2070.

What is MIT doing to be more resilient to rising temperatures?

MIT is developing a Climate Resiliency and Adaptation Roadmap, which builds upon years of resiliency planning and research at MIT. The roadmap includes an assessment of current and future conditions on campus as well as strategies and proposed interventions to support MIT’s community and campus in the face of increasing climate impacts. 

Learn more about the development of MIT’s Climate Resiliency and Adaptation Roadmap.

 

Helpful resources