Hi friends,
Fourth of July aftermath looked like me wrapping box fan cords, cleaning out ice chests, and storing misters. My family loves having people over for the Fourth each year, but that heat was no joke!
In August 2023, San Antonio broke the record for most days in a single year above 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Unfortunately, we may contend for the record again this summer.
San Antonio’s trees have a lot to tell us about this reality. Did you know the city’s tree canopy is directly tied to our heat index? Did you also know that the index is different for different neighborhoods?
Some of the hottest areas of our city are also our poorest. Those also have the fewest trees. They are also filled with homes with poor insulation, fewer central air conditioning units, and with folks who are struggling to keep up with energy costs to keep those homes cool.
 |
|
San Antonio Heat Map
|
|
|
For San Antonians who work outside, live alone, or who have underlying health conditions, this heat is not just uncomfortable. It can be fatal.
Coda Rayo-Garza, the research and data director for Every Texan, uses data on San Antonio’s tree canopy to help us understand how heat and economic resilience are linked. She shows how “heat islands” in our city are the result of concentrations of pavement, buildings, and other materials that absorb and hold heat.
Read about that phenomenon and how it’s impacting San Antonio here.
The city of San Antonio has several resources to help with climate resilience this summer. The Office of Sustainability is surveying San Antonians in targeted areas who experience some of the city’s most extreme heat in order to introduce heat-reducing tools to cool their communities. And as part of their Beat the Heat campaign, the city is educating the community on heat vulnerability and sharing helpful resources.
Staying cool this summer and in future summers requires us to care about how all of San Antonio is impacted by lack of shade and climate infrastructure.
|
|
Everyone Needs a Home Screening
Seats are going fast for our July 31 screening at the Little Carver. Make sure and grab yours today!
|
|
Everyone Needs a Home Screening
July 31, 2024 | 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Location: The Little Carver
226 N Hackberry St, San Antonio, TX 78202
|
|
|
As always, thanks for being with us on the journey! And if you want other news and resources, check us out on our social platforms.
-Elizabeth Le’anani Coffee
Director of Storytelling |
|
