Air Quality and Extreme Heat Impacts on Elderly Residents in Rural Southwest Georgia
Project Summary
3 students investigated how extreme heat and poor air quality affect elderly residents in rural Southwest Georgia, interviewing community elders to connect climate science to real lived experiences close to home.
Detailed Story
Cassenda Nelson’s project brought three students into direct conversation with elderly residents in rural Southwest Georgia, where aging homes, poor insulation, and outdated cooling systems trap heat — creating serious health risks for those on fixed incomes who must choose between comfort and the cost of electricity. Students collected air quality and heat index data, then paired that information with firsthand interviews with community elders. The experience was transformative. Many students said it was the first time they had connected climate change to someone they personally knew. One student reflected, “I thought it was just a weather thing, not a health thing.” Another said, “Talking to elders made me see climate change as something real, not something on the news.” Students were also struck by what the data revealed firsthand — after comparing indoor and outdoor temperatures in older homes, one student said simply, “It’s hotter in here than outside. That’s not right.” Though some students felt nervous going into the interviews, the conversations quickly built confidence. As one student put it, “I was scared at first, but once they started talking, I realized they just wanted someone to listen.” A major highlight was watching students step into leadership roles, approaching elders with respect, patience, and genuine curiosity. One student said she wanted to start checking on elders in her community more regularly; another reflected, “I want to check on my grandparents more now. I didn’t know they were dealing with this.” As Cassenda described it, this project didn’t just teach science — it taught empathy, awareness, and the power of community care.
Impact Statement
3 students gained hands-on experience connecting environmental data and community storytelling to advocate for climate-vulnerable elderly residents in rural Georgia. The project sparked a lasting shift in how students see their role in their community — one student said, “Talking to elders made me see climate change as something real, not something on the news,” while another left determined to act: “I want to check on my grandparents more now. I didn’t know they were dealing with this.” As Cassenda described it, the project didn’t just teach science — it taught empathy, awareness, and the power of community care.