California is preparing for a severe and prolonged heat wave, prompting state officials to invest in new methods of warning residents about the dangers of soaring temperatures. Extreme heat is one of the deadliest weather-related events, and in 2022, it resulted in more fatalities than hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, and other climate hazards combined. This issue particularly affects vulnerable populations such as children, the elderly, individuals with chronic illnesses, disabled people, and pregnant women. A recent investigation by the Los Angeles Times found that heat was likely responsible for approximately 3,900 deaths in California over the past decade, a number six times higher than the official count.
To address this issue, Governor Gavin Newsom’s Office of Community Partnerships and Strategic Communications launched the $20-million “Heat Ready CA” campaign. The campaign aims to improve outreach, advertising, and communication efforts to protect Californians from extreme heat. Governor Newsom emphasized the urgency of addressing climate change and its impact on soaring temperatures, urging residents to stay alert to changing weather and take necessary precautions during deadly heatwaves.
The Heat Ready campaign is part of Governor Newsom’s $404-million investment in addressing extreme heat, which was guided by the Extreme Heat Action plan introduced last year. The campaign will work together with 121 community-based organizations to conduct outreach in all 58 counties of California, delivering information in more than 30 languages through methods such as door-to-door canvassing and phone banking. Climate Policy Advisor Louis Bloomberg from the nonprofit group Climate Resolve applauded the campaign as a proactive step that could potentially save lives.
However, improved public communications are just one aspect of the broader Extreme Heat Action plan. The plan also recommends infrastructure improvements, better monitoring of heat-related deaths, increased investment in shade and green spaces, and other measures. While progress has been made, such as allocating $10 million to develop a statewide heat surveillance system, Bloomberg believes that more clarity, oversight, and specific implementation schedules are necessary. An ongoing bill in the Legislature, SB 306, proposes regular updates to the Extreme Heat Action plan and improved monitoring of goal progress.
The public information campaign coincides with record-breaking global temperatures caused by climate change and the arrival of El Niño, a tropical Pacific pattern associated with hotter conditions. The World Meteorological Organization predicts that El Niño’s impact will make at least one of the next five years the warmest on record globally. Additionally, sea surface temperatures are reaching alarming highs, and Arctic sea ice levels are at record lows. California Natural Resources Secretary Wade Crowfoot acknowledged the severity of the climate crisis, stating that progress has been made but calling attention to the urgent need for action.
The United States is currently suffering from a simmering heat wave that has already affected states such as Florida, Texas, and Arizona. Phoenix recently experienced ten consecutive days with temperatures surpassing 110 degrees, and the scorching conditions are expected to persist for another week. Las Vegas could see temperatures soar to 117 degrees, and Corpus Christi, Texas, might experience a heat index of 115 degrees. California is also bracing for the heat, as the National Weather Service has issued excessive heat watches for the Central Valley, warning of potentially dangerous temperatures up to 115 degrees. Los Angeles is also expected to face high temperatures, with the Antelope Valley reaching as high as 112 degrees, the San Gabriel Valley reaching 105 degrees, and downtown Los Angeles reaching 90 degrees.
Officials stress that the public information campaign will play a crucial role in mitigating the deadly effects of extreme heat. Similar initiatives surrounding the census and COVID-19 pandemic have proven successful, relying on culturally responsive communications and trusted messengers to reach underserved communities. During heatwaves, individuals are at risk of heat-related health issues such as headaches, dizziness, nausea, respiratory problems, and heat strokes. The danger intensifies when temperatures remain high overnight, depriving individuals of relief. Even healthy young people can be in danger, as their bodies may not acclimate quickly enough to increasing heat. Accurately counting heat-related illnesses and deaths can be challenging for state officials due to underlying health issues and the time-consuming process of analyzing death certificates and excess death data. However, Climate Resolve’s Bloomberg pointed out that other states like Washington and Oregon already have statewide heat surveillance systems that provide data within a weekend. He hopes that California’s system, alongside initiatives like heat standards for indoor workers and a heat wave ranking system, will soon be in place to prevent further loss of life.
In the face of the impending heat wave, state officials advise everyone to stay hydrated and remain indoors with air conditioning whenever possible. It is crucial to never leave children or pets alone in hot cars. Los Angeles County has already established nearly 170 cooling centers in anticipation of the heat wave. A list of cooling centers by county is available for public reference.
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