A newly released report from UNLV highlights the profound impact of extreme heat on both the daily lives and financial situations of Nevadans.
This report emerged from 18 community listening sessions coordinated by the Nevada Environmental Justice Coalition between December 2023 and July 2024.
These sessions aggregated insights from diverse participants from both rural and urban areas across Southern and Northern Nevada, revealing an urgent need to address the silent threat posed by climate change, particularly in the form of extreme heat.
Jackie Spicer, coordinator of the coalition, stated, “Heat is a silent killer that’s not being addressed or given the attention it deserves.”
Climate scientists have identified Las Vegas and Reno as the two fastest-warming cities in the United States since 1970, with extreme heat contributing to 527 deaths in Southern Nevada last year, according to the Clark County coroner.
The survey findings, which included responses from 1,070 Nevadans, indicated that more than half of the residents are forced to diminish spending on groceries and other essentials due to escalating energy bills.
Furthermore, approximately 42 percent of respondents reported experiencing heat-related health conditions such as heat exhaustion and heatstroke.
Participants were incentivized to share their experiences, with Spicer reaching out to community members at bus stops, offering $25 gift cards and free meals to encourage participation.
This recruiting strategy was particularly successful in engaging homeless individuals, who shared their challenges related to public transportation and the search for affordable housing.
Spicer observed that “folks from the bus stops had the most to say about their experiences using public transportation and the struggles with trying to find any type of affordable housing.”
The report covers a wide array of issues related to environmental justice, revealing how extreme heat intersects with significant challenges like energy access and inadequate public transport options.
One participant from Washoe County poignantly expressed concern about the dangers of heat waves combined with power outages, stating, “If there is a heat wave coupled by a power outage, people will die.”
Additionally, the report sheds light on the perception of water shortages in Nevada, particularly among rural residents.
About 40 percent of those surveyed believe the state is running out of reliable drinking water, with some attributing excessive water use to the mining sector and golf courses.
A Clark County resident pointed out the increasing scarcity, noting, “As time goes on, the Colorado River has less water available for Nevada, especially considering our split of water received is less than that of other states.”
With Nevada having the smallest allocation from the Colorado River among seven states, concerns over water availability have intensified over the past two decades.
Another resident raised the need for accountability, advocating for stronger measures against businesses that waste water.
The Southern Nevada Water Authority has implemented programs that allow residents to report water waste, but frustrations remain.
Beyond issues of heat and water, residents highlighted other pressing challenges including housing affordability, inadequate public transit, and a lack of awareness regarding federal clean energy initiatives.
Many expressed dissatisfaction with public transit systems, finding them inaccessible and expensive, while also noting limited knowledge of federal programs available to help them transition to renewable energy sources like solar power.
In light of these findings, the coalition aims to bring attention to Assembly Bill 96, which is currently awaiting Governor Joe Lombardo’s signature.
This bill would require municipalities with populations over 100,000 to incorporate heat mitigation strategies into their master plans, such as increasing tree canopies and providing access to cooling centers.
Governor Lombardo previously vetoed a similar bill in 2023 and has yet to publicly comment on this revised version.
Spicer emphasized the importance of the report in conveying Nevadans’ lived experiences to lawmakers and the general public.
She remarked, “More than 500 of our neighbors died last year in Clark County, and we want to act like that’s not a big deal.
That could be me, it could be you. That could be one of us next time.”
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