LOS ANGELES, Calif. – This morning, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a motion authored by Supervisor Hilda L. Solis and coauthored by Supervisor Lindsey Horvath addressing extreme heat. The motion directs the Chief Sustainability Office to develop the framework for a Heat Action Plan and collaborating with the State of California and the White House on their respective heat awareness campaigns.

“Climate change is human-caused, and it is continuing to alter our environment,” said Supervisor Solis. “Every year, we are experiencing rising temperatures and hotter, longer heat waves –  and each unprecedented event harms our communities’ health, infrastructure, natural resources. However, it is our most vulnerable who feel the impacts the most. Today’s motion is another step in not only addressing extreme heat, but creating a safer and healthier future for generations to come.”

The County has taken critical steps forward to address extreme heat. On November 1, 2022, the Board of Supervisors passed a motion authored by Supervisor Solis directing the Department of Public Health to investigate safe maximum temperature thresholds for dwelling units and high-risk workplaces in coordination with the County’s Chief Sustainability Office. The County also offers conveniently mapped cooling centers and has taken important measures to address the root causes of extreme heat through initiatives like the Climate Action Plan. However, further action is necessary to address extreme heat adequately and equitably.

“As we experience increased temperatures and more concurrent days of extreme heat, our communities are suffering, particularly our valley communities impacted by the heat island effect,” said Supervisor Horvath. “An Extreme Heat Action Plan for LA County that expands our network of countywide cooling centers and strengthens our resiliency can save lives in response to the existential climate crisis. I want every resident to know that ready.lacounty.gov/heat has information that can help you and your family stay safe as the heat wave continues.”

As climate change advances, heat waves are beginning to start earlier and end later.   Low-income areas and communities of color, burdened with pollution and highly paved environments, bear the brunt of extreme heat’s frequency, duration, and intensity. By collaborating with State of California on its Heat Ready CA campaign and the White House’s National Integrated Heat Health Information System, and developing a comprehensive plan to address extreme heat, Los Angeles County can maximize infrastructure for heat resiliency – enabling communities to better withstand heat-related hazards such as droughts and wildfires.