Summary/Abstract
The effects of extreme heat are particularly dire in urban areas, where dense concentrations of populations increase exposure and the heat-radiating effect of pavement and buildings intensify heat. The metropolitan area which contains the cities of Beijing, Tianjin, and Hebei in China is one of the three major urban areas in China, and is already experiencing an increasing rate of extreme heat incidence. This study uses climate models and models of the heat-intensification effects of the urban area to project how extreme heat will impact its population as both climate change and urbanization increase. The study finds that both the intensity and frequency of extremely hot days will increase over the coming century. These impacts will threaten human health, access to power, and water availability.