Understanding Extreme Heat in Three L.A. Neighborhoods
An introduction to the USC PLACE Study and how extreme heat will affect Los Angeles.
Land Acknowledgement: As we look over this StoryMap, we would like to respectfully acknowledge that the space we are sharing today resides on the unceded traditional homelands of the Chumash, Gabrielino/Tongva, Serrano and Tataviam people, and we would like to pay our respect to elders and relatives both past and present.
A map showing the traditional lands of Indigenous Peoples in what is now known as Los Angeles County.
Introduction
This StoryMap presents results from the USC Prioritizing Local Action for Climate Equity (PLACE) Study. The PLACE study is an academic-community partnership focused on the effects of extreme heat in South Los Angeles, Pacoima, and Wilmington. The study also looks at the relationship between Indigenous Peoples in L.A. County and extreme heat. In addition to looking at publicly available resources, we conducted community outreach in partnership with the Leap LA Coalition to truly understand the lived experiences of these three communities. Resources so that you (and your neighbors) can stay safe can be found here .
More detailed StoryMaps for each of the three communities of interest are linked in the "What We Studied" section. We recommend navigating to these after reading this StoryMap to learn more about each community and how the recent wildfires impact extreme heat.
Extreme Heat
Los Angeles is getting hotter as the planet warms up due to climate change. Extreme heat events will become more common and refer to times when temperatures are above 90 degrees for two or more days ( 1 ).
Extreme heat kills more people than wildfires in California. Between 2013 and 2022, seven CA extreme heat events took the lives of over 400 people ( 2 ). Even though many people die or are sent to the hospital due to extreme heat, people often don't think heat is dangerous ( 2 ). In this way, heat remains a “silent killer.”
While this summer has been the hottest on record, L.A. is only expected to get warmer. By 2050, the number of days that are hotter than 95 degrees Fahrenheit will double ( 3 ).
Los Angeles also has the worst “urban heat island effect, “which is when urban (city) areas are hotter than surrounding rural (or suburban) areas,” in California ( 3 ). It feels warmer in city areas because of a large amount of heat-absorbing surfaces like buildings, sidewalks, and concrete, and not a lot of plants and trees.
Extreme heat will affect frontline communities more than other places, making this an environmental justice issue. Environmental justice refers to the idea that everyone, regardless of race, income, age, etc., should live in a clean environment and be protected from harms like air and water pollution ( 4 ).
Extreme heat can impact us in many ways. Major risks include respiratory (breathing) problems, headaches, and dehydration. People may also not sleep as well during extreme heat events, especially if there is no air conditioning.
Heat stresses everyone's body, but can be particularly harmful to pregnant women, children, and older adults. Different characteristics (traits) have a big impact on how well people's bodies are able to deal with heat.
“It’s really important to understand that heat is a silent killer. (It) requires the same amount of speed in action that large disasters get, such as wildfires.”
About the USC PLACE Study
One major part of the PLACE study involves looking at extreme heat across three different neighborhoods in Los Angeles: Pacoima, Wilmington, and South L.A. While these communities are different in many ways, they are all home to many Black and Latinx families and are environmental justice (frontline) communities. Given these traits, residents of these places have a high risk of getting hurt by extreme heat ( 3 ).
Map showing where Pacoima, Wilmington, and South L.A. (outlined in red) are located within the city of Los Angeles (grey outline).
We also conducted culturally relevant workshops to empower neighborhoods and help them “prepare for, recover from, and adapt to” a changing planet ( 5 ). The three communities of interest are shown in the map to the right.
We also looked at each community through the lens of the Los Angeles Equity Index which measures opportunity levels in different neighborhoods ( 6 ). The index considers factors such as poverty, air quality, and education level as these can influence people's ability to get educational, employment, and other opportunities ( 6 ).
The communities in our study scored low on this measure. In other words, people in Pacoima, South L.A., and Wilmington face more obstacles related to staying healthy and achieving economic and/or educational goals than in Los Angeles generally.
Here, the L.A. Equity Index is shown for the entire city (Pacoima, South L.A., and Wilmington are outlined in red). Darker colors mean that a community faces more obstacles.
Community Partners
Centering community members in our research would be impossible without community partners. We have built relationships with organizations in Pacoima, South L.A., and Wilmington that do key work to support environmental justice. We thank these organizations, including the Leap LA Coalition, for helping us connect to and center community needs throughout this project. Learn more about our partners below.
South LA
Physicians for Social Responsibility Los Angeles (PSR-LA) is a large network of healthcare professionals that champions environmental justice in all communities. PSR-LA has a long history in South LA and has developed programs related to air quality, climate change, and pollution.
Esperanza Community Housing (Esperanza) is a social justice non-profit founded in 1989 and based in South Central Los Angeles. Esperanza achieves long-term, comprehensive community development through six intersecting programs. We recognize that Indigenous, Black, and Latino immigrant communities are disproportionately impacted by historical oppression, health disparities, disinvestment and displacement. Therefore, we develop and preserve affordable housing; elevate health equity and access to care; mobilize for environmental justice; create and protect local economic opportunities; expand engagement in arts and culture; and advocate for policies protecting human rights. Esperanza works collaboratively to strengthen South Los Angeles. In all of our actions, Esperanza builds hope with the community.
Strategic Concepts in Organizing and Public Education (SCOPE) is a well-established social justice organization based in South L.A. SCOPE centers community voices by calling on the public to help solve community issues.
Pacoima
Pacoima Beautiful is a grassroots environmental justice organization that seeks to create a healthier and safer community for all. They are the leaders of the “Green Together Collaborative” which is a movement to address air pollution and help make Pacoima more able to adapt to climate change.
Wilmington
Communities for a Better Environment (CBE) is an environmental justice organization that serves communities in Wilmington and Southeast L.A. CBE provides training related to organizing, leadership, and technical assistance to empower community members.
Indigenous Peoples
Sacred Places Institute (SPI) is a grassroots, California Indigenous-led community-based environmental justice organization located in unceded Tongva homelands also known as Los Angeles. Our mission is to build the capacity of Native Nations and Indigenous Peoples throughout California, the United States, and around the world to protect sacred lands, waters, and cultures. Our vision is to create paradigm shifts that support environmentally and socially just systems and assure the continuation of Indigenous cultures and peoples.
Community Characteristics
For Pacoima, Wilmington and South L.A., we looked at three different characteristics: age, public transit dependency, and income levels. These characteristics are “socioeconomic factors,” which means that they describe people based on things like income, education level, and job. Socioeconomic factors have a lot of influence on quality of life and can affect the opportunities given to people. In this case, we looked at how different ages, public transit dependency levels, and income can make communities more at risk of being hurt by extreme heat.
Age: Older Adults
Older adults are 2.5 times more likely to die in an extreme heat event ( 8 ). Their bodies may also not be able to adjust as well as younger adults to extreme heat due to medical issues ( 9 ). Elderly people may also have mobility problems and not be able to get a healthy amount of water or air conditioning (AC).
Public Transit Dependency
Community members who do not have cars and rely on public transportation to get to work (commute) are exposed to heat when walking to and waiting for buses or trains ( 10 ). Being dependent on public transportation is also related to other socioeconomic factors (like income) that can make people vulnerable to extreme heat.
Income
Again, heat is an environmental justice issue which means that frontline communities are more vulnerable to higher temperatures. Frontline areas also don't usually have much tree canopy (shade) and green space - which makes them feel hotter ( 8 ). The ability to afford AC at home is also impacted by income level. If people are unable to afford AC, their risk of a heat-related illness and discomfort rises.
Age, income levels, and public transit dependency were evaluated for Pacoima, South L.A., Wilmington, and Indigenous Peoples across Los Angeles County. We also looked at how much shade is provided by trees (tree canopy coverage) briefly ( 11 ). Click on the links below to access StoryMaps and learn about each community.
Resources
Here are some important resources and tips that can help you and your loved ones stay safe during extreme heat.
Cooling Centers
The following WebApp shows cooling centers, hydration stations, libraries, and parks where you can go during hot days. All of these places are open to the public and have centralized AC. You can input your address to see places to cool off near you.
Interactive tool (WebApp) for finding a place to cool off in Los Angeles County.
USC PLACE Study Infographics
Check out the USC PLACE study's heat-related infographics. These are all available in English and Spanish. Click here and scroll down to the "Climate Crisis and Health" section. We have information about heat generally and special tips about staying safe in extreme heat for pregnant people, public transit riders, and others.
An infographic (English and Spanish) about how to stay cool even if you do not have AC in your home.
General Tips for Staying Safe in Extreme Heat
Avoid direct sunlight
If possible, try to remain indoors during peak sunlight hours (10AM to 3PM). For outdoor workers, attempt to find shade and drink lots of liquids.
Dress appropriately
Wear loose fitting and lightweight clothing. Try to stay away from darker colors, as these can absorb heat and make you hotter.
Stay hydrated
Drink more water than usual. L.A. County officials recommend drinking between 2 and 4 glasses of water hourly.
Check on loved ones
Children and older adults are especially prone to heat-related illnesses. Check on your loved ones that may fall into these categories.
For more tips see: Ready LA County .
Helpful Links
Sources
- California Department of Public Health. Extreme Heat [Internet]. 2024 Jul 18. [cited 2024 Sep]. Available from: https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/EPO/Pages/Extreme%20Heat%20Pages/BI_Natural-Disasters_Extreme-Heat.aspx
- La, L. Extreme heat is costly and deadly in California [Internet]. CalMatters; 2024 Jul 8 [cited 2024 Sep]. Available from: https://calmatters.org/newsletter/california-extreme-heat/#:~:text=Michael%20Mendez%2C%20an%20assistant%20professor,get%2C%20such%20as%20wildfires.%E2%80%9D
- Gammon, K. Los Angeles is becoming too hot to bear. Can it design its way cooler [Internet]? The Guardian; 2023 Jan 3 [cited 2024 Sep]. Available from: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/jan/03/los-angeles-is-becoming-too-hot-to-bear-can-it-design-its-way-cooler#:~:text=Los%20Angeles%20has%20the%20worst,of%20any%20city%20in%20California
- United States Environmental Protection Agency. Environmental Justice [Internet]. 2024 Aug 27 [cited 2024 Sep]. Available from: https://www.epa.gov/environmentaljustice
- Center for Climate and Energy Solutions. What is Climate Resilience and Why Does it Matter [Internet]? 2019, April. [cited 2024 Sep.]. Available from: https://www.c2es.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/what-is-climate-resilience.pdf
- Galperin, R. A Great Divide: LA Equity Index [Internet]. [cited 2024 Sep]. Available from: https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/ca477e68657643c9a2bad1fddfe24359
- National Integrated Heat Health Information System. Who Is Most At Risk To Extreme Heat [Internet]? [cited 2024 Sep]. Available from: https://www.heat.gov/pages/who-is-at-risk-to-extreme-heat
- Sencan, G. Extreme heat takes a toll on Californians’ health [Internet]. Public Policy Institute of California; 2024 May 20 [cited 2024 Sep]. Available from: https://www.preventionweb.net/news/extreme-heat-takes-toll-californians-health
- U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Heat and Older Adults (Aged 65+) [Internet]. [cited 2024 Sep]. Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/extreme-heat/risk-factors/extreme-heat-and-older-adults-aged-65.html?CDC_AAref_Val=https://www.cdc.gov/disasters/extremeheat/older-adults-heat.html
- UCLA Luskin Center for Innovation. Adapting to Extreme Heat in California: Assessing Gaps in State-Level Policies and Funding Opportunities [Internet]. 2021, Oct [cited 2024 Sep]. Available from: https://innovation.luskin.ucla.edu/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Adapting-to-Extreme-Heat-in-California.pdf
- LMU Center for Urban Resilience. 2020, June [cited 2024 Oct]. Available from: https://uscssi.maps.arcgis.com/home/item.html?id=f5ab42ce957546c0b8730fedd44bce93
