International Day of Clean Energy
As heatwaves become more frequent and intense, heat-related health issues create a hidden crisis in disadvantaged neighbourhoods that demands urgent, coordinated action.
A recent study published in the journal Sustainable cities and society examined the current situation in several multifamily buildings in a Los Angeles County neighbourhood in the US and revealed how extreme heat episodes affect under-resourced housing. The study found that during heatwaves, poorly insulated homes lacking air conditioning can reach dangerously high indoor temperatures. By simulating future climate scenarios with even higher temperatures and longer heatwaves, the risks to residents’ health increase dramatically. Additionally, the study explored scenarios where dangerous weather conditions overlap with power outages, a combination that heightens health risks for extended periods.
The study demonstrates that while simple interventions—such as reflective roofs and ceiling fans—can help, these passive measures alone cannot guarantee safety in all situations. Reliable air conditioning, combined with a robust electrical infrastructure that minimizes power outage risks and exploits renewable resources, become essential during life-threatening heat episodes.
These findings have broader implications, as many communities worldwide share similar conditions: aging infrastructure, high energy costs, and limited adaptive capacity. The study shows that different measures can reduce dangerous indoor heat levels, but only when applied as a cohesive package, a point that underscores the need for equitable support, especially for low-income households.
In practice, large-scale deployment of air conditioners and thermal efficiency measures requires substantial funding and careful long-term policy design. Therefore, planning must be based in strong evidence to optimize such programs. Policies should move beyond a strictly carbon-focused view and adopt human-centered strategies that protect public health. These evidence-based policies must integrate practical barriers into long-term planning, ensuring that no household is left behind. Only offering programs—such as financial incentives— that consider residents’ economic realities ensures that all households are supported.
From a broader perspective, these challenges highlight the need for a dual approach: mitigating climate change while strengthening adaptive protections for the most vulnerable groups exposed to extreme weather. Public agencies, community organizations, and energy utilities are being urged to collaborate on programs that prioritize health, equity, and economic relief, considering not only current but also future impacts.
Researcher in Energy Systems at ISAAC – SUPSI