Protecting Californians from Deadly Heat

California has not historically treated extreme heat as a social equity and public health crisis — a crisis that requires targeted and consistently funded action to save lives. Now, the state’s 2022 Extreme Heat Action Plan includes many important goals.

Our three policy briefs can help achieve goals in the plan and inform upcoming policy and budget decisions. The first policy brief summarizes five recommendations for the state to advance an equitable, evidence-based approach to heat mitigation and adaptation. Given that we spend most of our time at home, the second brief spotlights three recommended actions to protect Californians where we live. The third brief zeros in on actions to protect vulnerable students with heat-resilient schools.

Authors Include:

  • Colleen Callahan, co-executive director
  • Lauren Dunlap, graduate student researcher
  • Michelle Gallarza, graduate student researcher
  • Rae Spriggs, manager of climate action research
  • V. Kelly Turner, co-director

Funding Acknowledgements

Funding for this policy brief was provided by the Resources Legacy Fund. This brief also drew from research supported by the Strategic Growth Council’s Climate Change Research Program.

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