Year: 2020
Campaign Lead Organization(s): Santa Clara University
Get Involved:
C.J. Gabbe | cgabbe@scu.edu
Photo credit: Will Buckner
More hot days by the end of the century compared to the beginning (US CRT Climate Explorer)
Population that does not speak English "very well" compared to 8.5% national average. (2018 ACS - US Census)
Population living in poverty, compared to 14% national average. (2018 ACS - US Census)
Population living alone, compared to 28% national average. (2018 ACS - US Census)
Limited data indicate that extreme heat regularly leads to deaths, emergency department visits, and hospitalizations in Santa Clara County (SCC). For example, a 2006 heat wave resulted in 600 deaths and 16,000 emergency department visits across California and a small share occurred in SCC. More recently, two people died in San Jose during a 2017 heat wave. However, local governments and researchers lack comprehensive evidence about the public health effects of extreme heat.
This campaign will increase public understanding of the urban heat island effect, and provide data that can be used in planning and research. The cities of San Jose and Santa Clara, and Santa Clara University are collaborating on this campaign. San Jose (pop. 1.03 million) and the city of Santa Clara (pop. 130,000) are adjacent cities that are updating their municipal plans to incorporate extreme heat and the urban heat island effect. Dr. C.J. Gabbe from Santa Clara University is engaged in ongoing research about extreme heat vulnerability and policy in California.