Research on Evaluation of Climate Comfort in Northwest China under Climate Change

Xuyang Yao, Mingjun Zhang, Yu Zhang, Hanyu Xiao and Jiaxin Wang
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Xuyang Yao: College of Geography and Environmental Science, Northwest Normal University, Lanzhou 730070, China
Mingjun Zhang: College of Geography and Environmental Science, Northwest Normal University, Lanzhou 730070, China
Yu Zhang: College of Geography and Environmental Science, Northwest Normal University, Lanzhou 730070, China
Hanyu Xiao: College of Geography and Environmental Science, Northwest Normal University, Lanzhou 730070, China
Jiaxin Wang: College of Geography and Environmental Science, Northwest Normal University, Lanzhou 730070, China

Sustainability, 2021, vol. 13, issue 18, 1-20

Abstract: Based on the monthly observation data of major surface meteorological observatories in Northwest China from 1960 to 2019, this paper uses the temperature and humidity index (THI), wind efficiency index (WEI), and clothing index (ICL) to construct a comprehensive climate comfort index evaluation model. This model was used to quantitatively evaluate the change characteristics of climate comfort in Northwest China against the background of climate warming. The results show that the overall climate comfort index in Northwest China is on the rise. In terms of space, an increase in the climate comfort index means an increase in the comfort zone, with the largest increase in the southeastern part of Gansu Province and the southern part of Shaanxi Province. The trend of change is that the increase in the north is greater than that in the south, and the higher the latitude, the greater the change. The space range of the comfort zone and the sub-comfort zone is generally expanding, and the climate is gradually becoming more comfortable. In terms of time, an increase in the climate comfort index means an increase in the climate comfort period, and the annual comfort index shows an increasing trend. The comfort period is mostly distributed in summer, with the most suitable cities in May and September, followed by June.

Keywords: climate comfort degree; temperature and humidity index; wind efficiency index; clothing index; comprehensive comfort index (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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