More rain, more heat and rising seas: How climate change is affecting New England

May 09, 2024

Kathleen Masterson and Dan Nott

New Englanders are already seeing heavier rains and longer stretches of summer heat. As climate change continues to affect the region, here are some key ways it could impact our bodies, our homes and our communities.

A graphic showing how extreme rainfall from climate change will lead to homes flooding and roads eroding. — Climate change will bring bursts of heavier rain. (Illustration by Dan Nott for WBUR)

A graphic showing how climate change will extend heat waves, and how this harms the body, in particular the brain, the kidneys, the lungs, and the heart. — If our bodies don't have the chance to cool down overnight, this can be particularly damaging. (Illustration by Dan Nott for WBUR)

A graphic showing how and why sea levels are rising faster in New England than some other parts of the world. It has to do with the east coast sinking from effects of the last Ice Age, Antartica and Greenland melting and something called "moon wobble." — Sea-level rise is not equal around the world. For a number of reasons, it's rising faster along the New England coast. (Illustration by Dan Nott for WBUR.)

An animated gif illustrating the formation of a hurricane. — A warmer Earth makes storms more likely to get big and dangerous. And a growing body of evidence suggests that hurricanes are intensifying more quickly.(Illustration by Dan Nott for WBUR)

An animated gif illustrating a storm surge and power outage along Boston's downtown waterfront. — Rising sea levels can cause coastal erosion and flooding, and can make storm surges bigger and more dangerous. (Illustration by Dan Nott for WBUR)

More rain, more heat and rising seas: How climate change is affecting New England

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