Know the risks
Understand the health risks of extreme heat for yourself, your family, and your neighbors.
Climate and health education
Heat Simulation Experience
Feel the heat. Understand the risk. Plan for it together.
Central Texas summers are getting longer and hotter. The Heat Simulation Experience is a hands-on activity that shows how extreme heat affects people, families, and whole neighborhoods, and helps communities build real plans to stay safe.
Why this matters
Extreme heat is a growing public health challenge in Austin
Heat does not affect everyone the same way. Neighborhoods with less shade, older housing, and fewer cooling options feel it first and feel it worst. That makes heat safety a key part of community outreach for health equity.
880heat-related illness cases treated at Austin-area emergency rooms in 2026, as of August
43of those cases were heat stroke, a life-threatening emergency
East Austinhas some of the hottest temperatures in the city
Sources: Austin American-Statesman on the Austin Public Health heat illness dashboard; KUT.
Who is most at risk?
- Older adults
- Babies and young children
- Outdoor workers
- People with chronic conditions
- Homes without air conditioning
- People who live alone
How it works
Learn by living the scenario
This is not a lecture. Community members, leaders, and organizations step into real-world heat scenarios together and work through what happens next. By pairing local knowledge with public health research, groups come away with community-informed solutions they can actually use.
We host the experience throughout the year with schools, faith communities, neighborhood groups, and partners.
- 1
Step into a scenario
Explore a realistic extreme heat event in a Central Texas community.
- 2
See the impact
Discover how heat affects health, homes, work, and daily life.
- 3
Share what you know
Bring your own experience and local knowledge to the table.
- 4
Build solutions
Work together on ideas that make your neighborhood more resilient.
What participants gain
Leave informed, prepared, and connected
See the connection
Learn how climate and health are linked, and why some communities are hit harder.
Build resilience
Explore practical ways your community can prepare for and recover from heat events.
See it in action
Heat simulation and community health
Watch how C2H's heat simulation initiative helps Central Texas communities understand extreme heat as a growing public health challenge, and how community support makes this work possible.
Amplify Austin Impact: Heat Simulation and Community HealthC2H Texas on YouTube
The research behind it
Satellite data meets street-level knowledge
The Heat Simulation Experience connects to C2H's wider climate and health research, led by founder and chief strategist Dr. Charles A. Moody Jr. This work blends climate data, public health data, and what residents know firsthand to protect at-risk neighbors and guide better local decisions.
- Austin CARESClimate Adaptation Resilient Communities, supported by NASA Earth Observations
- Heatwave resilience toolsA project developing digital climate tools for communities
- University partnershipsWork aligned with UT Austin's Planet Texas and Whole Communities, Whole Health initiatives
Stay safe this summer
Five heat safety habits for every family
Drink water often
Do not wait until you feel thirsty, especially when outside.
Find cool spaces
Spend the hottest hours in air conditioning, like a library or cooling center.
Check on neighbors
Look in on older adults and people who live alone.
Never leave anyone in a car
Cars heat up fast, even with the windows cracked.
Know the warning signs
Confusion, hot skin, or fainting can mean heat stroke. Call 911 right away.
Bring it to your group
Host a Heat Simulation Experience
We bring the experience to schools, churches, community centers, neighborhood associations, and workplaces across Travis County. Tell us about your group and we will help plan a session that fits.
- Schools and youth programs
- Faith communities
- Neighborhood associations
- Community organizations
- Workplaces and outdoor crews
- Health and research partners
Questions
Heat Simulation FAQ
Heat also shapes where families can afford to live. Learn how our C.A.P.H.E.P. Project connects housing and health.
What is the Heat Simulation Experience?
An interactive activity that helps people understand how extreme heat affects health and communities, then work together on solutions.
Who can take part?
Community members, local leaders, students, and organizations. No background in health or science is needed.
When is it offered?
We host the experience throughout the year. Check our community calendar or contact us to request a session for your group.
Is it physically demanding?
Contact us for details about the format of your session. We are happy to talk through any access or comfort needs ahead of time.
How can my organization support this work?
Host a session, partner on research and outreach, or give to help us reach more neighborhoods. See more ways on our Get Involved page.
A cooler, safer Austin starts with understanding
Bring the Heat Simulation Experience to your community, or reach out to learn more.
Help protect neighbors from extreme heat
Your gift helps a health equity nonprofit in Texas bring heat safety education to the neighborhoods that need it most. Explore all of our community wellness programs in Austin.
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