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Exploring vulnerability to weather extremes: Heat waves and extreme rainfall

Eriksson, Pernilla LU (2023) In Master Thesis Series in Environmental Studies and Sustainability Science MESM02 20232
LUCSUS (Lund University Centre for Sustainability Studies)
Abstract
Weather extremes, such as extreme heat and precipitation, are expected to increase in both intensity and duration due to climate change. Previous research suggests members of the acute homeless population are particularly vulnerable to such climatic extreme events. However, this has not been studied earlier in the context of Sweden. In this thesis, I merge the two persistent global problems, weather extremes and homelessness, to a local scale in Lund, Sweden, theorizing everyday life and intersectionality. Firstly, I conducted a systematic literature review to summarize the state of academic knowledge about health effects for the homeless population derived from climatic extremes. Secondly, eight in-depth interviews were conducted with... (More)
Weather extremes, such as extreme heat and precipitation, are expected to increase in both intensity and duration due to climate change. Previous research suggests members of the acute homeless population are particularly vulnerable to such climatic extreme events. However, this has not been studied earlier in the context of Sweden. In this thesis, I merge the two persistent global problems, weather extremes and homelessness, to a local scale in Lund, Sweden, theorizing everyday life and intersectionality. Firstly, I conducted a systematic literature review to summarize the state of academic knowledge about health effects for the homeless population derived from climatic extremes. Secondly, eight in-depth interviews were conducted with persons experiencing homelessness and experts working at non-governmental organisations with homelessness in Lund. The results suggest heat waves and extreme precipitation have severe impacts on the homeless residents’ health and wellbeing. Experiences of i.e., dehydration, heat stroke, hypothermia and frostbite were described by the respondents. Further, I underline intersecting vulnerabilities to weather extremes, including substance misuse, underlying health problems, gender, nationality, length of homeless episode, mental health, stigma, and shame. I suggest more resources needs to be directed towards helping organisations and provision of free health care. I conclude more research on this topic is needed globally. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Eriksson, Pernilla LU
supervisor
organization
course
MESM02 20232
year
type
H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
subject
keywords
Weather extremes, Climate vulnerability, Homelessness, Heat waves, Extreme precipitation, Sweden, Sustainability Science
publication/series
Master Thesis Series in Environmental Studies and Sustainability Science
report number
2023:050
language
English
id
9140299
date added to LUP
2023-10-25 08:14:08
date last changed
2023-10-25 08:14:08
@misc{9140299,
  abstract     = {{Weather extremes, such as extreme heat and precipitation, are expected to increase in both intensity and duration due to climate change. Previous research suggests members of the acute homeless population are particularly vulnerable to such climatic extreme events. However, this has not been studied earlier in the context of Sweden. In this thesis, I merge the two persistent global problems, weather extremes and homelessness, to a local scale in Lund, Sweden, theorizing everyday life and intersectionality. Firstly, I conducted a systematic literature review to summarize the state of academic knowledge about health effects for the homeless population derived from climatic extremes. Secondly, eight in-depth interviews were conducted with persons experiencing homelessness and experts working at non-governmental organisations with homelessness in Lund. The results suggest heat waves and extreme precipitation have severe impacts on the homeless residents’ health and wellbeing. Experiences of i.e., dehydration, heat stroke, hypothermia and frostbite were described by the respondents. Further, I underline intersecting vulnerabilities to weather extremes, including substance misuse, underlying health problems, gender, nationality, length of homeless episode, mental health, stigma, and shame. I suggest more resources needs to be directed towards helping organisations and provision of free health care. I conclude more research on this topic is needed globally.}},
  author       = {{Eriksson, Pernilla}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  series       = {{Master Thesis Series in Environmental Studies and Sustainability Science}},
  title        = {{Exploring vulnerability to weather extremes: Heat waves and extreme rainfall}},
  year         = {{2023}},
}