Wedoany.com Report on Feb 9th, Los Angeles County unanimously passed its first-ever Heat Action Plan to address the increasingly severe climate challenges. This plan specifically targets extreme heat phenomena, aiming to establish a long-term, county-wide response framework. It focuses on three core objectives: cooling outdoor spaces, improving indoor environments, and raising public awareness of health risks.
Unlike broader climate action plans, this Heat Action Plan treats extreme heat as an independent and escalating threat. Data shows that high temperatures cause over 200 deaths and thousands of emergency room visits annually in Los Angeles County, with inland and valley areas being the most severely affected. Since the 1980s, average summer temperatures in the region have risen by three degrees. Projections indicate that if global emissions are not significantly reduced, temperatures in some areas could increase by up to eight degrees by mid-century.
The Heat Action Plan also highlights the hidden impacts of heat on daily life. Nighttime temperatures are rising faster than daytime temperatures, leading to decreased sleep quality and worsening health conditions; more than 40% of surveyed residents reported difficulty sleeping on hot nights. County officials noted that heat, as an "invisible threat," is widespread but its effects are unevenly distributed. Furthermore, the lack of state or federal disaster declarations for heat events limits access to related funding. Through cross-departmental collaboration, the county hopes this plan will strengthen public health protections and secure more resources.
Based on years of research and analysis, the Heat Action Plan proposes several specific measures: adding shade structures at all county bus stops, expanding green coverage in unincorporated areas, replacing heat-absorbing pavement materials at schools and public spaces, establishing indoor temperature standards for rental housing, reducing energy burdens for low-income households, and increasing the number of cooling centers. Researchers involved in the plan stated that its human-centered design philosophy and innovative application combining shade and temperature data place Los Angeles County at the forefront of addressing future heat challenges.
