Extreme Weather and Environmental Justice

Surface Temperatures in Phoenix

• Map showing surface temperatures in the Phoenix metro area in Arizona, USA in June.

• Heat and poverty correlation:

  • Darker blue areas indicate higher child poverty rates.

  • Clear correlation between areas of high heat and high poverty.

• Climate change and wealth inequality are interconnected issues.

Heat in Phoenix

• Overview of extreme heat conditions:

  • "An excessive heat warning is in effect."

  • "Warmer is the new normal in Phoenix."

  • Increase in heat-related deaths in the city.

  • Phoenix recorded over 144 days with temperatures of 100°F (37.8°C) or higher last year.

• Contributing factors to rising temperatures:

  • Climate change

  • Urban development

• Forecasted high temperature for the day:

  • 112°F (44°C), although actual temperatures may vary.

• Variability in temperatures observed in different neighborhoods.

Central City South Neighborhood

• Location:

  • Central City South, located just south of downtown Phoenix.

• Community Characteristics:

  • Average household income for a family of four: $19,000.

  • Vehicle ownership rate: 23-28% of the population, indicating reliance on public transportation.

  • Neighborhood has the highest rate of heat-related illnesses in Phoenix.

• Vulnerability to extreme heat:

  • Contributing factors:

  • Proximity to freeways, railroad tracks, and airport contributes to heat capture.

  • Landscape features:

    • Wide streets and flat buildings do not provide shade.

    • High concentration of concrete and pavement.

    • Low tree coverage; noticeable lack of greenery.

    • High estimate of parking spaces: more than 4 parking spots for every car in Phoenix.

• Larger urban design issues:

  • The city's infrastructure is described as designed to capture heat, exacerbating temperature extremes.

Heat Mitigation Strategies

• Techniques to mitigate heat in urban areas:

  • Use of reflective roofs to reduce heat retention.

  • Cold pavements as a potential option.

  • Importance of greenery:

  • Significant difference between temperature outcomes with vegetation (trees) vs. non-green surfaces (pavement).

  • Plants are the variable connecting heat maps to poverty maps.

• Research findings on heat reduction:

  • Arizona State University study:

  • Covering at least 25% of an area with trees can lower temperatures by approximately 8°F (4.4°C).

  • Significance of trees in combating urban heat:

  • Improvements in air quality:

    • Trees cleanse the air and reduce carbon footprints.

  • Psychological benefits:

    • Lower stress levels among residents.

  • Economic positives:

    • Decrease in energy costs and better storm water management.

    • Trees act as an important cooling engine.

Urban Forestry and Equity Challenges

• Commitment from Phoenix:

  • Funding allocated for tree planting with a goal for neighborhoods to achieve minimal canopy cover by 2030.

• Challenges in maintaining urban forest:

  • Current reliance on private resources for tree maintenance outside public parks and major streets.

  • Requirement for homeowners to maintain trees planted in front of their properties.

• Specific issues faced by residents:

  • Maintenance cost burdens, especially in low-income areas.

  • Many residents are renters, complicating tree planting incentives and responsibilities.

  • Utility companies offer some assistance by providing free trees with specific planting conditions; however, this does not resolve the maintenance issue.

  • Trade-off between providing shade through trees and the associated increased water bills.

• Residents' requests:

  • Basic infrastructure improvements such as sidewalks and shade shelters at bus stops.

• Conclusion on infrastructure disparities:

  • Wealth disparities directly affect access to necessary infrastructure to withstand climate impacts.

  • Need for systemic change to ensure that the most vulnerable communities are protected from climate-related challenges.