Climate Change And Temperature Changes In Florida

EFFECT OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON COMFORT LEVELS OF OLDER PEOPLE IN NURSING HOMES IN FLORIDA

John Onyango1 & Angelica Tavarez

1 School of Architecture, University of Miami, USA, [e-mail]
2 School of Architecture, University of Miami, USA, [e-mail]

Abstract It is estimated that temperature and humidity levels in Florida will increase on average by between 4° F and 11° F by 2080 due to effects of climate change. This will results in the characteristics of the indoor environment falling outside the comfort zone and an increased use of air conditioning system. The impact of the change on the elderly is particularly frightening. According to the Alzheimer’s Association study, the number of people with dementia
This will result in the characteristics of the indoor environment falling outside the comfort zone and as a predictable defense, an increased use of air conditioning systems. According to The Royal Society for Public Health, due to a warming climate, it is any individual’s first intuition to use air conditions in order to prevent discomfort. This method is ironically the solution that is non-sustainable and contradicts the growing desire for more energy efficient and airtight homes that many individuals continue to stress. Rising temperatures have the ability to compromise the human body and adversely affecting health. Consequently, the human body has difficulties maintaining thermoregulation. (Anderson M.) Therefore, thresholds for indoor temperature should be defined as a public health issue. Under these circumstances, thermoregulation is the ability of the human body to maintain a regular body temperature, even when the surrounding temperature is immeasurably different. As a result, one can undergo physiological damage and can experience a continuum of heat stress, strain, stroke, and even death. Certain age groups and demographics are at increased risk of heat-related illnesses. Being that the temperature in Florida has already begun to cause unbearable reactions, the nursing homes in the more southern areas are
It then simulated what these conditions exactly are and later came to realize that they are most likely have a direct relation with rising outdoor temperature which are due to climate change effects. The study used Energyplus and Radiance to examine the effects using morphed probabilistic data from National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, (NOAA). There has been a positive response to these studies that involve reducing carbon emissions in order to mitigate climate change. This had been done through the design and construction of more energy-efficient buildings. However, there have been concerns that buildings like these can potentially overheat due to the increasing levels of thermal insulation and the airtightness of the design reducing the potential to reject heat gains from. As a result, it is important to look at the potential of these energy efficient building to become hotter and the effects of these instances on ones health. As stated earlier, air conditioning will be ones first line of defence in order to maintain the indoor temperature to that of ones thermal comfort level and as a result, preserve the indoor health and well-being of the population. Although one may think that building energy-efficient structures will reduce carbon emissions, the airtight spaces that are a direct outcome of these design will most likely