As the temperature rises across Los Angeles, a new initiative titled ShadeLA seeks to transform the city into a cooler haven, not only for its residents but also for attendees of upcoming global events such as the Olympics, World Cup, and Super Bowl.
Spearheaded by the University of Southern California, the initiative is a collaborative effort involving multiple schools, agencies, and community organizations. Its primary goal is to reduce urban heat and create a lasting legacy of shade in a rapidly warming climate.
The main strategy to cool the city is the creation and preservation of shade. This includes planting more trees and constructing canopies and awnings over areas such as schoolyards, parks, sidewalks, and other public spaces. The project aims to ensure that existing sources of shade are safeguarded and maintained through coordination with public agencies and local caretakers.
Scientific research plays a crucial role in the ShadeLA initiative, guiding decision-makers on the most critical areas to focus on for new shade installations. The team is committed to streamlining the process to make it easier for community members to participate in and benefit from this cooling effort.
Rita Kampalath, chief sustainability officer for Los Angeles County, emphasized the broad benefits of increased shade. She stated, “Creating more built and natural shade will not only benefit visitors, but will pay dividends for vulnerable residents for generations to come.”
Los Angeles has been grappling with increasing temperatures. Data shows that between 1961 and 1990, the city experienced an average of two extreme heat waves each year. This number has surged to an anticipated eight heat waves annually from 2011 to 2040, with projections suggesting a staggering increase to fourteen heat waves per year by 2080.
This rise in temperature presents a serious challenge, especially for low-income households who may struggle to cope without air conditioning. Comparatively, only 41 percent of residents in South L.A. have access to this cooling feature, significantly lower than the 68 percent average for Los Angeles as a whole. Alarmingly, 64 percent of South L.A. households live below the poverty line, compared to 37 percent of average L.A. residents, which makes the situation more dire for many families.
But can trees truly make a difference? Surprisingly, they can. Studies indicate that shaded areas can feel up to 70 degrees cooler than exposed areas under direct sunlight. This drastic temperature reduction highlights the importance of planting more trees to expand cool shaded spaces throughout the city.
Further complicating the issue, L.A. County has less shade than the national average, with only 21 percent of urban areas shaded at noon, in contrast to the national average of 27 percent. Variability is significant among different areas; for instance, Compton boasts a shade score of 63, whereas Beverly Hills, known for its greenery, achieves a score of 90.
Monica Dean, climate and sustainability practice director at USC Dornsife Public Exchange, articulated the multifaceted approach of the campaign. She remarked, “This campaign addresses heat not just as an environmental issue, but as a public health, infrastructure and community challenge. We’re designing solutions to protect lives—during major events and every day.”
As Los Angeles prepares for a future that includes increasingly severe heatwaves, the ShadeLA initiative not only aims to create a more comfortable environment for visitors during major sporting events but also seeks to provide enduring benefits to the health and well-being of its residents. The city stands at a pivotal moment where collaboration, science, and community engagement can come together to effectively combat the rising temperatures and make Los Angeles a more sustainable urban oasis.
image source from：timeout
