Extreme heat is the leading cause of weather-related deaths in the United States, and as average temperatures continue to climb across Southern California, residents increasingly report disruptions to sleep and overall health. Public health experts warn that rising nighttime temperatures, in particular, can compound the physical and mental strain of prolonged heat exposure.

To address these concerns, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors approved its first heat action plan that aims to facilitate cooler outdoor and indoor spaces while raising public awareness of heat-related risks. These plan outlines strategies such as replacing heat-absorbing blacktops, improving greening in schools, the installing shade structures in areas such as bus stops, and planting more trees in neighborhoods. 

Although challenges to funding and planning present some obstacles, Associate Professor of Urban Planning and Geography V. Kelly Turner shared with LAist that the plan takes an important step forward. “One thing the L.A. County heat action plan gets fundamentally right is that it centers people and the everyday ways that heat becomes a disruptor to daily life.” She praised its unique approach in using shade data alongside temperature data, expressing optimism about its potential impact on addressing the rising temperatures.