Drafter
Clerk 07/21/2022
Title
A MOTION requesting that the executive develop a regional operational plan for extreme weather centers and disaster sheltering, with a special focus on the most-vulnerable King County residents.
Body
WHEREAS, as reported in the most-recent National Climate Assessment, climate change is expected to result in more frequent and intense extreme weather events, and
WHEREAS, people who are already vulnerable, including lower-income and homeless residents have lower capacity to prepare for and cope with extreme weather and climate-related events and are expected to experience greater impacts in coming years, and
WHEREAS, in 2018, the department of public health published the Blueprint for Addressing Climate Change and Health, which describes the core functions and strategies for public health to address climate change and health, and
WHEREAS, according to the department of public health, heat-related health risks in King County are exacerbated by existing inequities in housing, access to healthcare and health outcomes, and
WHEREAS, in 2021 King County completed a heat-mapping project that quantifies the harmful, inequitable impact that hotter summers are having on the region. The data show that surface-level temperatures in areas with paved landscapes, less tree canopy and more industrial activity are substantially higher during summer heat events compared to less-urbanized areas, and
WHEREAS, heat-related health risks in King County are exacerbated by existing inequities in housing, access to healthcare and health outcomes. Those most at risk are older adults, the very young, pregnant women, people who work outdoors, people who are unhoused and people who have chronic medical conditions. Many of the areas affected by higher temperatures have a higher proportion of BIPOC residents and have been disproportionately affected by COVID-19 and other health inequities.
WHEREAS, according to the department of public health, hotter tem...

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