Year: 2020
Campaign Lead Organization(s): EcoWorks Detroit , Detroit Office of Sustainability, and Urban Energy Justice Lab
Get Involved:
Jordan Larson: jordan@youthenergysquad.org Website: www.ecoworksdetroit.org
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)
Many of Detroit’s residents are particularly vulnerable to negative health effects from extreme heat. Detroiters are disproportionately affected by respiratory illnesses, which become increasingly deadly during heatwave events as breathing hot, humid, and stagnant air increases airway inflammation and exacerbates a variety of respiratory disorders. The prevalence of asthma among adults in the city is 29% higher than Michigan as a whole, and respiratory related hospitalizations have increased significantly during past extreme heat events. Also, Detroit residents experience frequent water and electricity shutoffs due to utility unaffordability, which leaves many community members without water or the ability to run air conditioning or fans during heatwaves. Even for households that are able to afford their energy bills, electricity reliability is notoriously poor in Detroit, as city residents experience some of the most frequent and longest lasting power outages in the country. Lastly, transportation and mobility is also a challenge, leaving many children and seniors stuck in dangerously hot homes with few resources or options to cope with extreme heat. All of these factors combined, along with the disproportionate heat exposure caused by the urban heat island effect, result in heatwaves posing a significant public health hazard in the city. And until we are able to curb the warming of our planet, this hazard will only become more severe.
Target climate resilience resources, strategies, initiatives, and efforts happening in the city more effectively by providing relevant community organizations, local organizers, and the city with the heat maps we create (e.g. tree plantings organized by high school students participating in EcoWorks’ NOAA funded climate resilience leadership youth program)
Increase public awareness and discourse locally around issues of climate justice, as well as what actions/behaviors residents can take and what resources are available to help them protect themselves during extreme heat events (e.g. hosting community events to share results, information, and resources).
Use the data created through this project to conduct additional research on the relationship between heat exposure and other heat vulnerability factors, as well as possible geographic correlations between heat distribution and historical redlining practices in Detroit.
While it will be somewhat challenging to navigate and achieve while following social distancing protocols, a primary goal of this project is to empower and inspire residents through engagement and leadership in a citizen-science experience. As much as possible we aim to involve community members, particularly youth, in each stage of the project.