These adaptation strategies offer possible ways to address the increased public health effects from rising temperatures.
Adaptation strategies for extreme heat and public health
- A heat vulnerability assessment uses available data to quantify and map the heat risk throughout the community. This data can then be used to address the risk.
- A heat response plan can include strategies and procedures to respond to extreme heat-related emergencies.
- A key component is cooling centers and access to them for vulnerable populations.
- Plans could also include other measures (or “non-emergency measures”) such as increasing the availability and affordability of air conditioning, encouraging or requiring heat-sensitive building techniques such as green or white roofs, increasing tree coverage, and addressing urban heat islands.
- These programs generally have broad goals that emphasize the multiple benefits trees can provide, including helping to cool cities. Moreover, many states give grants to communities and organizations that promote or maintain urban forests.
- Many local governments have enacted tree and landscape ordinances, which can ensure public safety, protect trees or views, and provide shade. Three types of ordinances, in particular, are most useful from a heat island perspective: tree protection, street trees, and parking lot shade.
- See how New York City has used its vulnerability assessment to anticipate and prepare for changing conditions by using adaptation strategies to reduce extreme heat vulnerability.
- See how Goshen, Indiana Improved Ecosystem Resilience with Tree Canopy Inventory and Assessment
- Many local governments have enacted tree and landscape ordinances, which can ensure public safety, protect trees or views, and provide shade. Three types of ordinances, in particular, are most useful from a heat island perspective: tree protection, street trees, and parking lot shade.
- As summertime temperatures rise, the rate of ground-level ozone formation, or smog, increases. By lowering temperatures, urban heat island mitigation strategies can help reduce ground-level ozone concentrations. Many cities and counties are struggling to attain National Ambient Air Quality Standards, particularly for ground-level ozone. Most of these areas have adopted a wide range of emission control strategies on traditional air pollution sources and are seeking innovative ways to further reduce air pollution levels. Communities are considering urban forestry and cool roofs, in particular, as technologies that can help them reach attainment.
- Learn more about how rising temperatures cause air quality issues
- Incentives and awards from governments, utilities, and other organizations can be an effective way to spur individual heat island reduction actions.
- These might include below-market loans, tax breaks, product rebates, grants, and giveaways. Awards can reward exemplary work, highlight innovation, and promote solutions across the public and private sectors.
- Outreach and education can help build awareness of heat island risks and establish a foundation for action.
- Communicating to the public can help people understand the risk factors and symptoms of heat-related illnesses to reduce their exposure and know how to act when a situation occurs.
- A city or county council, or organizations such as air quality boards or planning commissions, can issue resolutions or public statements. A resolution does not necessarily indicate that a program will be supported financially, but it can be the first step in getting an initiative started.
- Many local governments interested in mitigating heat islands started by procuring cool technologies for municipal buildings. Since state and local governments usually put construction work and material supplies out for bid, they can revise bid specifications to include cool products.
- Building Codes
- Building codes are regulations adopted by local and state governments that establish standards for construction, modification, and repair of buildings and other structures. An energy code is a portion of the building code that relates to energy usage and conservation requirements and standards. Some cities and states have begun including cool roofing in their building codes because of its potential to save energy, particularly during peak loads.
- Procuring cool technologies for municipal buildings
- Since state and local governments usually put construction work and material supplies out for bid, they can revise bid specifications to include cool and green infrastructure such as green roofs, cool coatings on pavement, pervious pavement, trees, parking lot shading requirements.
- Comprehensive plans, sometimes called general plans in California and other states, are adopted by a legislative body of a local government, and set forth policies, goals, and objectives to direct development and conservation that occurs within its planning jurisdiction. They generally have a broad scope and long-term vision. Design guidelines provide a connection between general planning policies and implementing regulations, such as zoning codes and subdivision regulations. Design guidelines convey a sense of the preferred quality for a place by being descriptive and suggestive.
- Zoning Codes
- These regulations generally dictate function for an area, building height and bulk, population density and parking requirements. Zoning codes can also promote heat island mitigation strategies in various ways. For example, cities such as Sacramento have adopted parking lot shading requirements as part of their zoning codes.
- Green building codes and standards
- Green building initiatives place a high priority on human and environmental health and resource conservation over the life cycle of a building. Many local, state and federal governments have adopted green building programs, or standards, that capture heat island reduction strategies.
- Weatherization Programs
- Weatherization usually involves making the homes of qualifying residents, generally low-income families, more energy efficient at no cost to the residents. States use weatherization funds provided by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Weatherization Assistance Program to help recipients cover heating bills and invest in energy efficiency actions that lower costs. States can also use the funds to install cooling efficiency measures, such as screening and shading devices.
CDC Building Resilience Against Climate Effects
The following resources are provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Learn more about the BRACE framework.
- Anticipate Climate Impacts and Assessing Vulnerabilities
Identify the scope of climate impacts, associated potential health outcomes, and populations and locations vulnerable to these health impacts. - Project the Disease Burden
Estimate or quantify the additional burden of health outcomes associated with climate change. - Assess Public Health Interventions
Identify the most suitable health interventions for the identified health impacts of greatest concern. - Develop and Implement a Climate and Health Adaptation Plan
Develop a written adaptation plan that is regularly updated. Disseminate and oversee implementation of the plan. - Evaluate Impact and Improve Quality of Activities
Evaluate the process. Determine the value of information attained and activities undertaken.
Source Documents
These strategies are adapted from the following existing website: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and other federal resources. Please view these strategies in the context provided by the primary source document:
- Reducing Heat Island Compendium of Strategies
- Heat Island Cooling Strategies
- National Climate Assessment 2016 Climate and Health Assessment
Other Federal Resources:
Other potential adaptation strategies are available from industry organizations, including:
Disclaimer
The adaptation strategies provided are intended to inform and assist communities in identifying potential alternatives. They are illustrative and are presented to help communities consider possible ways to address current and future climate threats to contaminated site management. Read the full disclaimer.
