Opinion
Ariel Roblin: Why investments are needed to address ‘Urban heat islands’
We are in the middle of a heat wave, and the conditions are much more dangerous in some neighborhoods.
Temperatures along tree-lined streets, with nearby parks or rivers, are often noticeably cooler than neighborhoods where exposed asphalt, concrete, and rooftops absorb heat during the day and stay hotter, longer at night.
This is known as the “urban heat island” effect.
A KCRA 3 investigation found that on the same day at the same time; Sacramento’s McKinley Park neighborhood was 101-degrees, while Del Paso Heights was 115-degrees.
The main difference? One neighborhood is shaded by hundreds of tall trees, and the other is not.
You’ll find similar heat islands in neighborhoods east of downtown Stockton, parts of West Modesto, and many other areas.
It’s more than an inconvenience. Extreme heat can be dangerous, especially for older adults, children, outdoor workers, those without reliable air conditioning and pets.
It can also drive-up electricity bills for families already struggling to make ends meet, and these heat islands are often in the most economically disadvantaged communities.
Some solutions are simple. Cities should plant and maintain more shade trees.
They should encourage reflective rooftops and cooler pavement, protect green spaces and invest in more parks.
Because these neighborhoods tend to be underfunded, it’s important for us to show city planners and legislatures that we all care about these communities.
Thoughtful planning and targeted investments can help ensure that a person’s ZIP code doesn’t determine how safely they survive the summer heat.
Ariel Roblin is the president and general manager of KCRA 3 and My58. See more of her editorials here.