Climate change will impact us all, but where we live in the country radically changes how it will. According to ProPublica, “162 million people — nearly 1 in 2 — will most likely experience a decline in the quality of their environment”. 

The most widespread effect will be rising temperatures. This can cause higher rates of heat-related illnesses, exacerbate urban heat islands, and make the temperature unlivable (literally!). The wet bulb test is used to determine the maximum temperature and humidity the human body can survive in. Past that, there is so much humidity in the air, the body cannot sweat enough to get rid of the heat.

The Western US will see mass wildfires as both coasts will be hit with sea level rise. Several of America’s largest cities are on the coast, and this is the largest block of climate migrants. In the Northern Midwest, farmers will be able to grow crops for longer into the season as there is a shorter winter season. In the South, farmers might see yields drop by as much as 90% as the temperature causes crops to fail.

The map below depicts the counties most vulnerable to climate change by predicting their vulnerabilities to different factors.