Extreme Heat & Air Quality
As the climate warms, a major impact is the increasing magnitude and frequency of extreme heat events; average summer temperatures are increasing while the length and severity of heat waves are also increasing. NYC summers are getting hotter. According to the NYC Panel on Climate Change (NPCC), by the 2050’s, NYC can expect to see the number of 90-degree days double, and the number of heatwaves to either triple or quadruple. As climate change drives higher temperatures and more frequent heat emergencies, the impacts on frontline communities across NYC will only increase. According to the NYC Heat Vulnerability Index—an index that identifies neighborhoods with higher heat-related risks—the most heat-vulnerable communities in NYC are predominantly composed of low-income residents of color.
Over the last several years, NYC-EJA has worked to minimize the disproportionately negative effects of extreme heat on communities of color and reduce the urban heat island effect. To achieve this, our work focuses on improving air quality and reducing co-pollutant emissions to address the compounding health impacts from heat coupled with bad air quality. Additionally, we work to maximize “cooling” strategies, including expanding the urban forest, increasing access to cooling centers, and advocating for increased home energy assistance.
Find our new report on community heat and air quality monitoring below:
For a one-pager describing the disproportionate impacts of extreme heat in NYC: