This paper presents a novel application of Geospatial Emergency Management Support System (GEMSS). This is a geospatial tool that integrates multiple data sources, allowing for the streamlined visualisation of environmental risk, socio-economic and demographic vulnerability, baseline mortality, and policy intervention measures. Using Austin, Texas, as a case study, the paper evaluates the American city’s vulnerability to heat stress and flooding over a six-year period from 1999 to 2005. The authors used existing datasets, and developed hazard-specific Environmental Public Health Indicators (EPHIs). These indicators combined local environmental, health, vulnerability, and climate policy data on an online, user-friendly Geographical Information Systems (GIS) viewer, to perform visual assessments for identifying vulnerable populations. As an open-source web-based tool, GEMSS can link and compare diverse spatial information. It is argued that the platform therefore has the potential to be an easy-to-access tool for policy makers to identify vulnerability hotspots, and visualise and promote targeted mitigation and adaptation interventions. Benefits provided by GEMSS include:

monitoring and assessing climate-related vulnerability
improving the capacity of policymakers to understand impacts on vulnerable communities
raising public awareness
strengthening epidemiologic research related to climate change and public health vulnerability.