Climate Impacts
How Climate Change Impacts Nashua
In recent years, the impacts of climate change have become more apparent than ever in our community. As global temperatures rise, Nashua will continue to experience various climate hazards including intense storms, heat waves, and localized flooding.
These hazards have far-reaching consequences such as public health impacts, costly infrastructure damage, and habitat loss. In fact, heat-related illness has been identified as the primary climate-related health impact in our region, particularly for low-income populations, older adults, youth, and historically marginalized groups. Considering these challenges, it is imperative that we work collaboratively to safeguard our community for current and future generations
3 The Climate Explorer, National Environmental Modeling and Analysis Center (2024); 4 The Climate Explorer, National Environmental Modeling and Analysis Center (2024); 5 The Climate Explorer, National Environmental Modeling and Analysis Center (2024); 6 The Climate Explorer, National Environmental Modeling and Analysis Center (2024); 7 National Environmental Public Health Tracking Network, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2024); 8 Risk Factor, First Street Foundation (2024).
Climate Impacts
Building Resilience to Climate Impacts
“Resilience” is a term often used in discussing climate change actions. Climate change resilience is the ability of a community to adapt and thrive in the face of extreme shocks and stresses like extreme heat and flooding. Resilient communities anticipate risks, plan to limit their impacts and adopt strategies that integrate all community systems – civic, environmental, social and economic – to mitigate and support recovery from extreme events while providing a good quality of life.
16 Risk Factor, First Street Foundation (2024); 18 Hazard Mitigation Plan, City of Nashua (2019); 19 Hot Topic: A Climate and Health Adaptation Plan for the Greater Nashua Region, Nashua Regional Planning Commission (2017).
Climate Impacts
Climate Change Affects Everyone, but It Doesn't Impact Everyone Equally
The Social Vulnerability Index (SVI) summarizes a variety of social, economic, and demographic factors that contribute to a community’s resilience such as poverty, language, transportation access, and type of housing. Higher SVI scores indicate higher vulnerability, signaling a need for increased attention and support for disaster preparedness, response, and recovery efforts. This map illustrates that there is a range of social vulnerability in Nashua, with an area of high SVI concentrated downtown. This area has an SVI of 11, the highest level of vulnerability, indicating these neighborhoods should be prioritized for resilience upgrades.
17 Social Vulnerability Index (SVI), New Hampshire Department of Health & Human Services Data Portal (2015-2019).
City Initiatives
Guided by Nashua's Vision
Imagine Nashua is the City’s comprehensive planning process—an initiative that combines inclusive community engagement with major plans created in the past 20 years to craft an innovative vision for the future of Nashua. This master plan focuses on equity, resilience, and climate protection as core values guiding growth and development in the city.
City Initiatives
Your Air, Your Health
Nashua's Local Air Monitoring Sensor Program is designed to complement the state's air quality monitoring efforts. By strategically placing air quality sensors throughout the city, this program provides Nashua residents with real-time, localized data on air pollution levels. This data empowers residents to make informed decisions about outdoor activities, protect their health, and contribute to a healthier environment for everyone.
- Understand the air quality index.
- Air pollution and your health.
City Initiatives
Resilient Nashua Toolkit
The Resilient Nashua Initiative was developed by the City and community stakeholders to encourage climate resilience throughout Nashua. This toolkit is a step-by-step, self-guided suite of resources will assist you in your resilience planning and maintenance.
Use the toolkit to:
- Assess your vulnerability to hazards
- Develop an Emergency Action Plan
- Practice your plan with training resources
- Get feedback on your plan from the Office of Emergency Management
- Develop a process for annual team training and year-round preparedness
City Initiatives
Public Health Dashboard
Public health ranges from access to health care and healthy food to the lifestyles of a community's residents. The Nashua Division of Public Health and Community Services (DPHCS) uses the Greater Nashua Public Health Region (GNPHR) Interactive Data Dashboard to present a range of public health indicators, such as:
- Air quality and pollution
- Housing conditions and indoor health and safety
- Disparities in socioeconomic status and health inequity
Get Involved
Build Community Resilience
Resilient Nashua is an ongoing initiative and we are always looking to hear from residents on your concerns or ideas for making a more Resilient Nashua. Here are a few ways to stay connected to the initiative. You may also reach out directly to:
Contact the Office of Emergency Management: eoc@nashuanh.gov
