Economy × Heat
Increased heat, as a result of climate change, is generating higher
seasonal average temperatures, more extreme heat days, and more frequent and
intense heat waves, as well as contributing to lower air quality and changes in
water temperature. These climate impacts affect the ability of people to work
and the continued viability many important industries like agriculture, marine
fisheries, and recreational activities that rely on New England’s historic
cooler climate.
People who work in outdoor industries (such as construction, agriculture, transportation and warehousing, and utilities) or in workplaces exposed to high heat (such as commercial kitchens) will be disproportionately affected (MCCA, 2022, Volume II, p. 131-132). Working in high temperatures and poor air quality increases the risk of heat stress, heat stroke, asthma, and other heat-related and respiratory illnesses.
Being compelled to choose between protecting one’s health and working forces households to weigh health and financial tradeoffs, such as loss of income, and greater job insecurity. In addition, heat related work closures may also cause loss of income, which may disproportionately impact certain groups.
This guide will explore how people's communities and local economies - which are essential for meaningful engagement - may be challenged by heat stress and unhealthy air pollution levels.
Increased heat, as a result of climate change, is generating higher
seasonal average temperatures, more extreme heat days, and more frequent and
intense heat waves, as well as contributing to lower air quality and changes in
water temperature. These climate impacts affect the ability of people to work
and the continued viability many important industries like agriculture, marine
fisheries, and recreational activities that rely on New England’s historic
cooler climate.
People who work in outdoor industries (such as construction, agriculture, transportation and warehousing, and utilities) or in workplaces exposed to high heat (such as commercial kitchens) will be disproportionately affected (MCCA, 2022, Volume II, p. 131-132). Working in high temperatures and poor air quality increases the risk of heat stress, heat stroke, asthma, and other heat-related and respiratory illnesses.
Being compelled to choose between protecting one’s health and working forces households to weigh health and financial tradeoffs, such as loss of income, and greater job insecurity. In addition, heat related work closures may also cause loss of income, which may disproportionately impact certain groups.
This guide will explore how people's communities and local economies - which are essential for meaningful engagement - may be challenged by heat stress and unhealthy air pollution levels.
Questions to Answer
The questions and guided explorations below will help assist you in how to think about how heat is impacting the economy in your community. Use the Economy x Heat worksheet to assist you when answering these questions.
The questions and guided explorations below will help assist you in how to think about how heat is impacting the economy in your community. Use the Economy x Heat worksheet to assist you when answering these questions.
Some economic sectors in Massachusetts are especially affected by changes in air and water temperatures, including marine fisheries, aquaculture, agriculture, and seasonal tourism and recreation. Additionally, some workers are disproportionately affected by increasing temperatures and heat waves, whether because of the industry they work in, transportation delays, or health concerns. Construction, manufacturing, transportation and warehousing, and utilities are among high-risk industries (MCCA, 2022, Volume II, p. 131).
The climate impact on both marine fisheries and aquaculture productivity is considered a top impact of concern in the Massachusetts Climate Change Assessment. Increasing ocean and freshwater temperatures affects reproduction and may prompt migration of species away from traditional areas, which decreases revenue. The marine fisheries industry could experience a loss of nearly $70 million in revenue per year by 2090 (MCCA, 2022, Volume II, p. 138). Fluctuations in climate have already reduced county-level fishing employment by about 16% between 1996 to 2017 (Oremus, 2018). Marine fisheries are a significant economic driver in Massachusetts, and much of that value is created by aquaculture. Aquaculture (the breeding, rearing, and harvesting of fish and other sea life or plants) requires a robust, healthy marine ecosystem in order to be successful. The impacts to the marine fisheries and aquaculture industries are expected to be highly disproportionate. Marine fishery landings that are in low-income coastal communities experience 203% higher climate impacts compared to the rest of the coast. This is projected to result in higher instances of decreased economic activity at these landings (MCCA, 2022, Volume II, p. 138-142).
Increased heat will also contribute to reduction in crop yields for agricultural products including field crops and tree products (MCCA, 2022, Volume II, p. 130). Statewide, yields of corn, hay, soybeans, and potatoes are projected to decrease by nearly 10 percent by 2030 and up to 18 percent by 2070 to 2090 (MCCA, 2022, Volume II, Appendix A, p. A140-A141). Additionally, local agriculture is a small but growing source of food for people participating in Commonwealth food assistance programs and climate impacts could disrupt this momentum (MCCA, 2022, Volume II, Appendix A, p. A139).
Tourism and recreation industries, particularly those associated with the distinct New England seasons, such as winter skiing, fall foliage viewing, and beach town recreation will also be affected. Warmer temperatures may result in less snowfall and snowpack for winter sports. On the other hand, warm temperatures may increase such activities as water sports and boating, but some water bodies may close because of increased harmful algal blooms. In some communities, seasonal workers, who typically have lower household incomes in general, depend on concentrated earnings to sustain themselves and their families. This income may be affected by the impacts of heat on seasonal businesses and recreational activities (MCCA, 2022, Volume II Appendix A, p. A130-A136).
Guided Exploration:
Understanding
which significant economic sectors and sites in your community experience high
heat relative to the rest of the community is important for resilience
planning.
To better understand where extreme heat threatens places and sectors that are vital to the local economy, open the GEAR Economy Map and select a municipality. The group of Land Use Data available on this map helps identify agricultural, commercial, and industrial land uses – overlaying the Hot Spots layer under the Climate Hazards Data group illustrates which sites are in areas of high relative heat. (Remember that the entire community will be affected by hotter weather; however, hot spots will experience relatively higher heat).
Some questions to consider include:
- What sectors or industries are most important to your community? How will extreme heat affect them?
- Who are the largest employers in the community? What is the most common type of employment in the community?
- Do we know what proportion of community members work for those employers?
- How does heat affect the work done by these employers and the job stability for their employees?
Read More About Related Impacts in the Massachusetts Climate Change Assessment:
- Decrease in Agricultural Productivity page A139 (top impact Greater Connecticut River Valley, Central)
- Decrease in Marine Fisheries and Aquaculture Productivity page 138 (top impact Statewide; Cape, Islands, & South Coast)
Some economic sectors in Massachusetts are especially affected by changes in air and water temperatures, including marine fisheries, aquaculture, agriculture, and seasonal tourism and recreation. Additionally, some workers are disproportionately affected by increasing temperatures and heat waves, whether because of the industry they work in, transportation delays, or health concerns. Construction, manufacturing, transportation and warehousing, and utilities are among high-risk industries (MCCA, 2022, Volume II, p. 131).
The climate impact on both marine fisheries and aquaculture productivity is considered a top impact of concern in the Massachusetts Climate Change Assessment. Increasing ocean and freshwater temperatures affects reproduction and may prompt migration of species away from traditional areas, which decreases revenue. The marine fisheries industry could experience a loss of nearly $70 million in revenue per year by 2090 (MCCA, 2022, Volume II, p. 138). Fluctuations in climate have already reduced county-level fishing employment by about 16% between 1996 to 2017 (Oremus, 2018). Marine fisheries are a significant economic driver in Massachusetts, and much of that value is created by aquaculture. Aquaculture (the breeding, rearing, and harvesting of fish and other sea life or plants) requires a robust, healthy marine ecosystem in order to be successful. The impacts to the marine fisheries and aquaculture industries are expected to be highly disproportionate. Marine fishery landings that are in low-income coastal communities experience 203% higher climate impacts compared to the rest of the coast. This is projected to result in higher instances of decreased economic activity at these landings (MCCA, 2022, Volume II, p. 138-142).
Increased heat will also contribute to reduction in crop yields for agricultural products including field crops and tree products (MCCA, 2022, Volume II, p. 130). Statewide, yields of corn, hay, soybeans, and potatoes are projected to decrease by nearly 10 percent by 2030 and up to 18 percent by 2070 to 2090 (MCCA, 2022, Volume II, Appendix A, p. A140-A141). Additionally, local agriculture is a small but growing source of food for people participating in Commonwealth food assistance programs and climate impacts could disrupt this momentum (MCCA, 2022, Volume II, Appendix A, p. A139).
Tourism and recreation industries, particularly those associated with the distinct New England seasons, such as winter skiing, fall foliage viewing, and beach town recreation will also be affected. Warmer temperatures may result in less snowfall and snowpack for winter sports. On the other hand, warm temperatures may increase such activities as water sports and boating, but some water bodies may close because of increased harmful algal blooms. In some communities, seasonal workers, who typically have lower household incomes in general, depend on concentrated earnings to sustain themselves and their families. This income may be affected by the impacts of heat on seasonal businesses and recreational activities (MCCA, 2022, Volume II Appendix A, p. A130-A136).
Guided Exploration:
Understanding
which significant economic sectors and sites in your community experience high
heat relative to the rest of the community is important for resilience
planning.
To better understand where extreme heat threatens places and sectors that are vital to the local economy, open the GEAR Economy Map and select a municipality. The group of Land Use Data available on this map helps identify agricultural, commercial, and industrial land uses – overlaying the Hot Spots layer under the Climate Hazards Data group illustrates which sites are in areas of high relative heat. (Remember that the entire community will be affected by hotter weather; however, hot spots will experience relatively higher heat).
Some questions to consider include:
- What sectors or industries are most important to your community? How will extreme heat affect them?
- Who are the largest employers in the community? What is the most common type of employment in the community?
- Do we know what proportion of community members work for those employers?
- How does heat affect the work done by these employers and the job stability for their employees?
Read More About Related Impacts in the Massachusetts Climate Change Assessment:
- Decrease in Agricultural Productivity page A139 (top impact Greater Connecticut River Valley, Central)
- Decrease in Marine Fisheries and Aquaculture Productivity page 138 (top impact Statewide; Cape, Islands, & South Coast)
Dangerous working conditions, transportation disruptions, and heat-related illnesses can affect workers all over the Commonwealth. The impacts are felt by certain populations, such as those whose work requires that they be outdoors. The construction, manufacturing, transportation and warehousing, and utilities industries are expected to be significantly impacted by heat. About 20% of the state’s workforce works in industries in which workers are exposed to heat and other harsh weather conditions (MCCA, 2022, Volume II, p. 131). Minority workers make up an outsized share of the workforce in these high-risk industries, and high-risk workers tend to work fewer hours on hot days, particularly on days over 90 degrees, leading to lost hours and wages (MCCA, 2022, Volume II, p. 131-135). People who continue to work in high heat conditions have been shown to experience higher levels of injury directly from heat stress and from other accidents, likely due to decreased cognitive performance in the heat (MCCA, 2022, Volume II, p. 133).
Guided Exploration:
Understanding
which sectors will be most impacted in your community, and how workers in those
industries may be disproportionately affected, is essential to equitable
resilience planning. You can use
the GEAR Economy Map to
review which areas in your community are Hot Spots. Toggling on/off the Workforce
Characteristics layer may help get you thinking about unemployment in your
community. Also consider the following topics:
- What are commonly held jobs in the communities that are vulnerable to heat? Consider the following sectors: tourism, recreation, landscaping, construction, transportation and warehousing, agriculture, marine fisheries, and aquaculture. What are other commonly held outdoor jobs in the community?
- What are the risks to the people working in those sectors - the implications for their livelihoods, the implications for those businesses, and the implications on the local economy?
- Are there commonly held indoor jobs where workers lack access to cooling systems (such as restaurant kitchens) in the community? Are there other essential community spaces, such as schools, that may lack cooling systems?
- How does heat affect the livelihoods of community members who depend on these industries?
- What are some of the cascading impacts that community members might face with disruptions to the sector(s) most important to your community?
- Are there conditions that affect workers in certain sectors that may influence their resilience to heat? For example, are there migrant workers with less access to medical care in your community?
- Reduced Ability to Work page 131 (top impact Statewide; Central; Eastern Inland; North & South Shores)
Dangerous working conditions, transportation disruptions, and heat-related illnesses can affect workers all over the Commonwealth. The impacts are felt by certain populations, such as those whose work requires that they be outdoors. The construction, manufacturing, transportation and warehousing, and utilities industries are expected to be significantly impacted by heat. About 20% of the state’s workforce works in industries in which workers are exposed to heat and other harsh weather conditions (MCCA, 2022, Volume II, p. 131). Minority workers make up an outsized share of the workforce in these high-risk industries, and high-risk workers tend to work fewer hours on hot days, particularly on days over 90 degrees, leading to lost hours and wages (MCCA, 2022, Volume II, p. 131-135). People who continue to work in high heat conditions have been shown to experience higher levels of injury directly from heat stress and from other accidents, likely due to decreased cognitive performance in the heat (MCCA, 2022, Volume II, p. 133).
Guided Exploration:
Understanding
which sectors will be most impacted in your community, and how workers in those
industries may be disproportionately affected, is essential to equitable
resilience planning. You can use
the GEAR Economy Map to
review which areas in your community are Hot Spots. Toggling on/off the Workforce
Characteristics layer may help get you thinking about unemployment in your
community. Also consider the following topics:
- What are commonly held jobs in the communities that are vulnerable to heat? Consider the following sectors: tourism, recreation, landscaping, construction, transportation and warehousing, agriculture, marine fisheries, and aquaculture. What are other commonly held outdoor jobs in the community?
- What are the risks to the people working in those sectors - the implications for their livelihoods, the implications for those businesses, and the implications on the local economy?
- Are there commonly held indoor jobs where workers lack access to cooling systems (such as restaurant kitchens) in the community? Are there other essential community spaces, such as schools, that may lack cooling systems?
- How does heat affect the livelihoods of community members who depend on these industries?
- What are some of the cascading impacts that community members might face with disruptions to the sector(s) most important to your community?
- Are there conditions that affect workers in certain sectors that may influence their resilience to heat? For example, are there migrant workers with less access to medical care in your community?
- Reduced Ability to Work page 131 (top impact Statewide; Central; Eastern Inland; North & South Shores)
Investigate GEAR Map Data Layers
Explore the Economy map to learn more about how heat is impacting the economy in your community. The list on the right provides an overview of selected data layers included in the map with layer details.
Explore the Economy map to learn more about how heat is impacting the economy in your community. The list on the right provides an overview of selected data layers included in the map with layer details.
Hot spots are areas with the 5% highest Land Surface Temperature Index values in each RPA region. These areas often have increased energy costs (for cooling), more air pollution, and higher incident of heat-related illness and death.
This subset of the MassGIS 2016 Land Cover/Land Use data shows areas with commercial or mixed land use. Commercial areas may be able to provide resources, but if they are affected by a hazard, it may have economic impacts.
This subset of the MassGIS 2016 Land Cover/Land Use data shows areas with industrial land use. Climate impacts on these areas may have economic or ecological implications.
To promote and protect water-dependent industrial
uses, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts has established 10 Designated Port
Areas (DPAs). DPAs have features important for water-dependent industrial
uses—such as commercial fishing, shipping, and other vessel-related marine
commercial activities—and/or for manufacturing, processing, research, and
production activities that require marine transportation or access to large
volumes of water.
This layer is symbolized to show the percentage
of unemployed population within the civilian labor force. A high percentage
represents that an area has a high share of workers who do not currently have a
job but are actively looking for work. Without consistent work hours and
consistent wages, people face financial insecurity and unpredictability, which
can lead to other challenges and increased vulnerability.
Environmental justice (EJ) populations, i.e., block groups are defined in Chapter 8 of the Acts of 2021 and the 2021 EEA EJ Policy. EJ populations are those segments of the population that EEA has determined to be most at risk of being unaware of or unable to participate in environmental decision-making or to gain access to state environmental resources or are especially vulnerable. 2020 block groups, updated in Nov 2022.
Percent of population 25+ years old without high school diplomas or post-secondary degrees. This group can face limited employment prospects, higher unemployment rates, and lower earnings - which can lead to financial insecurity. Not completing high school or post-secondary education is also linked to a variety of factors that can negatively impact health. ACS 2017 - 2021.
Actions to Consider
Communities can take several steps to build resilience to the impacts of heat on the economy. Some actions may include:
Communities can take several steps to build resilience to the impacts of heat on the economy. Some actions may include:
Work with community members who work in industries that are disproportionately affected by extreme heat to develop a small business tool kit. This toolkit may include strategies on how to keep cool at work during heat waves, recognizing symptoms of heat related illness, and access to other resources that may help workers stay cool. Explore the resources below to gather ideas on what to include in your small business extreme heat toolkit:
- The National Association of Letter Carriers has a resource page on heat safety issues. This includes a comprehensive Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) guide "Using the Heat Index: A Guide for Employers."
- Consider the use of technology to help workers monitor heat levels. OSHA offers an app called "OSHA-NIOSH Heat Safety Tool," which features a real-time, location-specific heat index. It also provides occupational safety tips and health recommendations for specific conditions workers may be in.
- The Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) provides resources on heat safety in the workplace.
- The community-based organization A Better City has a presentation on "Engaging Businesses in Extreme Heat Solutions."
Provide education and resources that help businesses prepare for climate change. Partner with local Chambers of Commerce, Downtown or Main Street organizations, and organizations connected to minority, women, or veteran-owned businesses (for example, Black Owned Brockton). Begin by educating businesses on local coastal flooding and other climate change projections and invite discussions on gaps in preparedness and resource needs. Identify and train one or more paid resilient business liaisons who can facilitate access to resources that close those gaps and provide education on pertinent topics like adapting work practices in hazardous conditions. Some metrics to track include number of businesses engaged, number taking advantage of grants and other resources, and those with adapted work practices. Identify opportunities to build long-term capacity to maintain resilient business liaisons.
See the MVP 2.0 "Green & Resilient Business Initiative" Seed Project one-pager for more details and ideas.
Work with community members who are disproportionately affected by high heat - including environmental justice and other priority populations - to select a highly traveled route (or route with potential to be highly traveled) and identify interventions that will transform the route into a "cool transportation corridor." Implement the interventions, which may include investments such as street trees, awnings, vegetation, bus shelters, water fountains, or cool materials such as lighter colored paving. Your community may also be interested in mapping out cool transportation corridors for ease of use once these corridors are established.
Explore MVP Projects
Explore the MVP-funded projects below:
Explore the MVP-funded projects below:
FY18 Action Grant
$118,000 Award
The City of Cambridge developed four resilience toolkits for renters, small residential owners, and both small and large businesses. Each toolkit was presented at a workshop targeting the relevant community audience.
Flyer: Cambridge Business - Ready for Heat?
Toolkit: Cambridge Large Business - Ready for Extreme Weather?
Toolkit: Cambridge Small Business - Ready for Extreme Weather?
FY18 Action Grant
$118,000 Award
The City of Cambridge developed four resilience toolkits for renters, small residential owners, and both small and large businesses. Each toolkit was presented at a workshop targeting the relevant community audience.
Flyer: Cambridge Business - Ready for Heat?
Toolkit: Cambridge Large Business - Ready for Extreme Weather?
Toolkit: Cambridge Small Business - Ready for Extreme Weather?
FY 20-21, 21-22
$280,070 Award
The City of Boston created a roadmap for strategically reducing hot spots and heat related vulnerabilities in Boston. The project included four core tasks: (1) a review of existing plans, policies, and procedures as they pertain to heat, (2) an assessment of urban heat island dynamics and heat risk utilizing existing data sets, (3) a robust and community driven engagement process, and (4) the development of heat resilience strategies in specific timelines and locations throughout Boston.
Learn more: Boston FY21 Heat Resilience Planning Study
FY 20-21, 21-22
$280,070 Award
The City of Boston created a roadmap for strategically reducing hot spots and heat related vulnerabilities in Boston. The project included four core tasks: (1) a review of existing plans, policies, and procedures as they pertain to heat, (2) an assessment of urban heat island dynamics and heat risk utilizing existing data sets, (3) a robust and community driven engagement process, and (4) the development of heat resilience strategies in specific timelines and locations throughout Boston.
Learn more: Boston FY21 Heat Resilience Planning Study
Related Guides
Explore how heat affects people’s health and wellbeing,
which, in turn, affects their ability to work and engage with their
communities.
Explore how heat affects people’s health and wellbeing,
which, in turn, affects their ability to work and engage with their
communities.
Explore how heat affects infrastructural systems which are
essential to working and other activities, such as transportation and energy
distribution.
Explore how heat affects infrastructural systems which are
essential to working and other activities, such as transportation and energy
distribution.