In June 2021, Spokane, Washington, experienced a devastating heat wave that saw temperatures soar to 109 degrees Fahrenheit (43 degrees Celsius).
Despite being a northern city close to the Idaho border, many homes in Spokane were not equipped with central air conditioning.
As the extreme heat persisted for over a week, the consequences became dire, with 19 residents losing their lives and around 300 individuals requiring hospitalization for heat-related ailments.
Scientists predict that Spokane will face similar deadly heat waves in the future, prompting city officials to collaborate with Gonzaga University to proactively address the challenges posed by climate change.
The community received a significant boost with a $19.9 million grant from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), aimed at adjusting to climate change and enhancing the local economy.
This funding was intended to establish resilience hubs equipped with microgrids and support residents lacking air conditioning in upgrading to energy-efficient cooling systems.
Unfortunately, Spokane’s financial resources were inadequate to implement these critical improvements independently, despite their potential to save both lives and future costs.
However, less than a year later, the Trump administration unexpectedly terminated the funding.
Spokane was not alone in this setback; approximately 350 similar grants aimed at addressing climate change challenges across the United States were also revoked, as they were deemed not aligned with the current administration’s priorities.
Many of these affected communities, like Spokane, lack the financial means to undertake essential climate adaptation initiatives on their own.
Spokane’s historical context plays a significant role in its present-day economic struggles.
Founded in the late 19th century on the backs of wealth generated from railroads and resource extraction, especially gold, silver, and timber, Spokane now faces a different reality.
With a population of 230,000 in a metropolitan area of half a million, it stands out as the largest city along the I-90 corridor between Minneapolis and Seattle.
As Spokane looks towards potential economic revitalization, the situation remains precarious.
In early 2025, the U.S. Department of Commerce announced a $48 million grant to transform the region into a tech hub for advanced aerospace materials.
However, this grant was also rescinded by the Trump administration in May, further complicating the city’s financial and economic outlook.
As a result, Spokane’s capability to adapt to climate change has faced significant uncertainties.
Economic difficulties are evident in Spokane, where the median household income is nearly $30,000 lower than the state average.
Additionally, more than 13% of the population resides in poverty, overshooting the national average, and over 67% of the children in the area qualify for free or reduced lunches.
The political landscape in Spokane adds another layer of complexity, as the city remains a primarily blue enclave within a predominantly red state, led by a moderate mayor.
The congressional district has consistently leaned Republican, with the last Democratic win occurring in 1995 when Tom Foley lost his reelection bid.
The catastrophic heat wave in 2021 acted as a critical turning point for Spokane’s community response to climate hazards.
The unrest caused by the heat dome led to the establishment of the Gonzaga Institute for Climate, Water and the Environment, which facilitated a coalition of governmental and community partners dedicated to applying for grants from the EPA.
These grants were particularly aimed at assisting communities most affected by climate change and pollution, as outlined under the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022.
From the experiences during the 2021 heat wave, it became clear that temporary cooling centers were ineffective, as people were reluctant to seek refuge at these locations.
Research indicated that strengthening existing community facilities—locations the public already frequents—is a more effective approach.
Half of the awarded $19.9 million grant was earmarked for equipping five resilience hubs located in existing libraries and community centers with solar arrays and battery backup microgrids.
This would ensure these facilities could remain operational during heat waves, even if the power grid failed.
Furthermore, $8 million of the funding was designated to assist 300 low- to moderate-income homeowners in acquiring high-efficiency electric heating and air conditioning systems.
This initiative sought to reduce utility bills while improving residents’ capacity to cool their homes and significantly cut down fossil fuel emissions.
As a result of the termination of these critical funds, Spokane, along with similar communities across the country, now faces limited options in their fight against the repercussions of climate change.
Responding to the abrupt funding cuts, a class action lawsuit has been launched by a coalition comprising Earth Justice and the Southern Environmental Law Center.
If successful, this legal action could restore Spokane’s crucial funding.
In the meantime, the city is determined to act quickly, leveraging whatever resources are available to mitigate the growing risks posed by climate change.
The Spokane Community Resilience Collaborative has been formed, uniting community organizations, health officials, and city leaders in strategic planning to respond to climate hazards, notably extreme heat and dangerous wildfire smoke.
As the region faces potentially worsening climate impacts, the stakes have never been higher for Spokane to secure the necessary support and resources to protect its vulnerable populations.
image source from：theconversation
