Fresno is a giant ‘heat island.’ More parks and green space can cool things down | Opinion

Being born and raised in Fresno, I am all too familiar with the extreme heat that affects my city. Last summer, the high temperature reached 114 °F. This weekend Fresno is about to enter another hot spell, with highs forecast close to that scorcher.

These temperatures can be uncomfortably hot and can lead to serious health consequences, particularly for low-income and marginalized communities, which are often located in urban heat islands.

Urban heat Islands are areas in suburban and urban areas that are hotter than the rest of the city and have higher air pollution levels, contributing to heat-related death and illnesses, such as respiratory difficulties and heat stroke.

Fresno City’s Measure P aims to improve parks and green spaces in our city. The three-eighth of a cent sales tax will run until 2049, and the revenue is meant to fund various parks, recreation, and arts programs throughout Fresno. Not only will this measure beautify our city, but it also has the potential to help address environmental justice and health concerns.

The adverse health findings on the urban heat island effect are clear: heat-related illnesses can be severe and even life-threatening, particularly for vulnerable populations such as the elderly, young children, and those with pre-existing health conditions. Low-income communities are often disproportionately affected by the urban heat island effect due to a lack of air conditioning and other cooling technologies, green spaces, and exposure to higher levels of air pollution, which can exacerbate the health impacts of extreme heat.

Measure P seeks to provide more access to green spaces and recreational activities. Increasing the number of trees, parks, and other green spaces in low-income and marginalized neighborhoods, this measure has the potential to provide relief from extreme heat, improve air quality and promote public health.

Access to green spaces can provide other benefits, such as opportunities for physical activity, social interaction, and mental well-being, which further contribute to a healthier community.

However, it is essential to note that more than simply increasing the number of parks and green spaces is needed to address the complex issues of environmental health and justice in the context of the urban heat island effect. We must also address the root causes of disparities in exposure to extreme heat, such as the higher pollution burden that low-income communities experience in Fresno. This requires an environmental justice framework approach that incorporates equity considerations into urban planning processes, addresses sources of air pollution, and provides access to cooling technologies for low-income households.

The passing of Measure P is a critical step in the right direction. However, to implement it correctly, Fresno must also consider how this measure can be implemented to promote environmental justice and health for all residents. This requires collaboration between community members, advocates, and policymakers to ensure that the needs and perspectives of low-income and marginalized communities are prioritized and incorporated into decision-making.

For Measure P to be an effective tool in addressing environmental justice and health concerns, the funding needs to be distributed equitably. Green spaces are needed, especially in lower-income areas that experience higher air pollution burdens and higher rates of heat-related illnesses and deaths. Neighborhoods with higher pollution burdens and fewer green spaces, such as south Fresno, should be prioritized when considering how to distribute funding from Measure P.

The city should work closely with community members to ensure that the needs and perspectives of low-income and marginalized communities are prioritized. This means engaging with residents through accessible public forums and other forms of engagement to gather input and feedback. This will allow the city to consider the unique needs of each neighborhood and tailor the funding distribution accordingly.

Fresno’s Measure P has the potential to be a powerful tool in addressing the complex issues of environmental justice and health in the context of the urban heat island effect. By investing in parks and green spaces, Fresno can provide relief from extreme heat, improve air quality, and promote public health. However, policymakers and city planners must also take an environmental justice approach that addresses the root causes of disparities in exposure to extreme heat and ensures that all residents can enjoy the benefits of a healthy community.