How vulnerable are Australia’s cities to extreme heat? Explore our maps | Extreme heat

As the federal government warns, the climate crisis will increase heat -related deaths, with the impact with disproportionately the already vulnerable data, the data obtained exclusively by Guardian Australia show the parts of the big Australian cities which are most vulnerable to heat.

The new measurement, called the heat vulnerability index and compiled by rmitted researchers, combines temperature readings from satellites, with data on particularly sensitive populations (such as older and disabled Australians), the built environment and green space, and socio-economic factors such as income and education.

The data shows a particularly high vulnerability in the west of Sydney and in the external suburbs of Melbourne, Adelaide and most of the other major Australian cities. But it also shows great vulnerability in colder climates like Hobart, Launceston and Albury.

You can explore the vulnerability of heat through Australia in the card below:

“When we generally think of climate change, and we think of heat, we think of the temperature of the earth’s surface. But [there are] Other factors that mean that you may be more or less sensitive to heat, “said Dr. Melanie Davern, director of the Australian Urban Observatory.

Davern noted factors such as the built environment and access to services, but also things like age, pre -existing conditions and income. Some of them can also be correlated and compose each other – many older Australians also have other pre -existing conditions, for example.

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“We know that you sweat less as you get older, so it is more difficult to cool. We know up to 4 years old, you also find it more difficult to thermorege,” said Davern.

“One in 6 Australians has cardiovascular disease. We know that with cardiovascular diseases, respiratory diseases, diabetes, mental illness, neurological conditions, these people will also be more likely. You therefore have several layers of complexity that contribute to the vulnerability of heat. ”

A distinct study recently published by researchers from Monash University revealed that heat waves caused 1,009 deaths in Australia between 2016 and 2019. The study revealed that communities with larger shares of elderly residents, those who need lower help and education have experienced higher mortality.

Unpacking the heat index, we can see how widespread these vulnerabilities are and that they cross our cities. The following card shows “heat sensitivity”, which includes data on the built environment, vegetation, vulnerable groups (very young, old and those who need care) and population density.

It also shows “adaptive capacity”, which are socioeconomic factors such as income and education. Professor Qian (Chayn), associated RMIT, developed the clues and declared that heat sensitivity was more a measure of community sensitivity to heat, while adaptive capacity has shown the capacity of the individual and the group to mitigate heat, as being able to manage to manage an air conditioner.

Although vulnerability is correlated with socio -economic factors, cards show clear exceptions – Carlton and Fitzroy in Melbourne and Woolloomoloo and Rushcuters Bay in Sydney are all 5/5 on the Heat vulnerability index. All hurt the heat sensitivity.

“It is not only people living in disadvantaged areas that will be vulnerable to heat, but it is the combination of factors – the environment, age, perhaps pre -existing conditions. It is not a simple story that only applies to a single group. It actually applies across the country,” said Davern.

“When you look at the cards, you see less heat vulnerability in particular fields of a greater socioeconomic advantage. But that does not exclude them because there are areas where you may have a very large proportion of elderly people, and they can be rich, but they will always be vulnerable because of the environment and pre -existing conditions. ”

The final card shows the heat data captured by satellites in the same suburbs as the above cards. Many places that are particularly vulnerable to heat stand out here – Sun said that Brimbank in Melbourne in the west was the most vulnerable area of ​​the index and had a “very clear urban island [effect]». But you can see similar models in most data cities.

Davern and Sun said the data showed the need to improve planning processes to take into account the interaction of all these factors.

“Planning is the main challenge. We do not think of connectivity to different aspects. Governments are divided into wallets, but we [need] An integrated approach to think about planning a living space. »»