This interactive map allows students to visualize the risk, expected annual loss, social vulnerability, and community resilience to extreme weather events in the United States.
This is a great way to learn about where different weather risks may be concentrated in the United States and which areas have fewer weather risks.
Teaching Tips
Positives
Students can create their own detailed report comparing up to 20 community risk indices using the Create Report tool.
By clicking on the map, students can explore their county's risk index, annual loss, vulnerability, and resilience.
Additional Prerequisites
To view the key for the Risk Index map, click on the Learn More tab at the top of the page.
It may be best to review the definition of a risk index, expected annual loss, social vulnerability, and community resilience by clicking on the Learn More tab before using the tool.
Differentiation
Ask students why it is crucial to consider social vulnerability and community resilience when addressing the effects of natural hazards and climate change.
Have students consider why some communities may be more or less exposed and vulnerable to natural hazards.
This resource can be used in science classes during lessons about the effects of climate change on extreme weather and in social studies classes during lessons about climate justice and the links between inequality, race, financial wealth, vulnerability, and resilience.
Scientist Notes
This map of the national risk index shows how the U.S. is vulnerable to and resilient to various environmental and social problems. The resource is advised for use in the classroom because the map layers and data are adequately depicted.
Standards
Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS)
ESS3: Earth and Human Activity
HS-ESS3-1 Construct an explanation based on evidence for how the availability of natural resources, occurrence of natural hazards, and changes in climate have influenced human activity.
College, Career, and Civic Life (C3) Standards
Dimension 2: Geography
D2.Geo.3.9-12 Use geographic data to analyze variations in the spatial patterns of cultural and environmental characteristics at multiple scales.
D2.Geo.4.9-12 Analyze relationships and interactions within and between human and physical systems to explain reciprocal influences that occur among them.
Dimension 4: Taking Informed Action
D4.6.9-12 Use disciplinary and interdisciplinary lenses to understand the characteristics and causes of local, regional, and global problems; instances of such problems in multiple contexts; and challenges and opportunities faced by those trying to address these problems over time and place.
