Columbia Residents Gear Up for Urban Heat Solutions

Columbia Residents Gear Up for Urban Heat Solutions

Columbia, South Carolina is known for its warm summers, and it looks like today is no exception! With cloudy skies in the morning, we can expect some showers this afternoon and a high near 80°F. Light winds from the east-northeast will gently blow at 5 to 10 mph, and there’s a 40% chance that those rainy clouds will drop some water on us. Temperatures will drop tonight to a low of 67°F, with an increased chance of rain at 60%. Sounds like a classic Southern day!

Summer Heat Poses Public Health Risks

As we enjoy another typical Columbia day, it’s hard to ignore the impact of urban heat in our city. According to citizen science efforts performed back in 2022, downtown Columbia can be a shocking 18 degrees hotter than the surrounding suburban areas of Richland County. With our city continuing to grow, more green spaces are being replaced by darker, heat-absorbing surfaces, which can really heat things up. This phenomenon doesn’t just make for sweltering summers; it can pose serious health risks to our community.

Taking Action Against Urban Heat

With fall on its way, the issue of urban heat is still fresh on many minds. Luckily, the South Carolina Public Health Association (SCPHA) along with the Smart Surfaces Initiative are stepping in to help tackle this problem head-on. They have received a grant from the American Public Health Association, which allows them to focus on community outreach, education, and a series of focus groups.

Intern Katie Schreiber is heavily involved in these efforts. She shared, “Our goal is to raise awareness about the impacts of urban heat, especially in Columbia. We want to educate community leaders, homeowners, and renters about how urban heat affects their everyday lives and what steps they can take.” So, what can we do about it?

Smart Surfaces to the Rescue

A key part of this initiative revolves around integrating more smart surfaces into our urban landscape. So what are smart surfaces? Think reflective roofs, permeable pavements, and even solar panels, along with lush trees providing shade. These surfaces can significantly lower temperatures and manage stormwater more efficiently. Katie believes there’s ample opportunity within our city to implement these changes. “We’re working with the city and community members on planting more trees and building awareness when constructing new spaces,” she said. “The more we collaborate towards our common goal, the better!”

Join the Movement: Upcoming Webinar

Excitingly, the SCPHA smart surfaces team is hosting a webinar today at 2:00 p.m. for those interested in learning more about addressing heat from a public health perspective. The webinar will cover everything from how urban heat affects public health to practical actions that individuals and communities can take. There will also be resources available for reducing heat and continuing education credits for attendees!

For those interested in participating, registration is open – it’s a fantastic way to get informed and become part of the change happening right here in our community.

As we gear up for a potential rainy afternoon in Columbia, let’s stay aware of the bigger picture: the importance of urban heat management for our health and well-being. Together, with effort and awareness, we can help cool off our beloved city.