By Los Angeles County Politics (LACP)
After years of rising temperatures claiming more than 200 lives annually in Los Angeles County, the Board of Supervisors yesterday unanimously approved the County Heat Action Plan – a long-awaited blueprint designed to combat what officials now recognize as one of the region’s deadliest weather-related hazards.
The plan comes as extreme heat events – driven by ongoing climate change – continue to exacerbate health risks, economic burdens, and infrastructure strain, particularly in historically underserved communities where residents have borne the brunt of inadequate cooling resources and limited shade.
“The County’s Heat Action Plan is not just a blueprint – it’s a commitment to support Angelenos as we navigate a rising trend in extreme heat events,” said Board of Supervisors Chair Hilda Solis. “Now more than ever, the actions we take today to protect our residents will ensure we create cooler and healthier neighborhoods in the future, while advancing heat resilience.”
The economic toll is staggering. Heat already costs L.A. County nearly $5 billion annually in lost worker productivity, with projected losses more than doubling to $11 billion by 2050. Extreme temperatures increase emergency room visits, reduce access to safe outdoor spaces, and place financial strain on households already struggling with high utility bills.
“The County Heat Action Plan reflects our commitment to climate resilience,” said Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell. “It is only when we prioritize communities most at risk due to systemic disinvestment that we can create healthier, equitable, and more resilient neighborhoods for all.”
“The County Heat Action Plan will protect residents—especially renters and families in hotter areas like the San Fernando Valley—who are already bearing the brunt of rising temperatures, limited shade, and inadequate home cooling,” said Supervisor Lindsey P. Horvath. “This plan builds on our first-in-the-nation tenant protections from extreme heat and prioritizes the physical and social infrastructure necessary to adapt to our changing climate.”
The plan centers on three overarching goals: cooling outdoor spaces through strategic shade and green infrastructure; creating heat-resilient indoor spaces in buildings where residents live, work, and learn; and expanding heat safety communications and emergency response programs.
“Extreme heat is no longer a once-in-a-while emergency—it’s our new normal and we need to help our neighborhoods adapt,” said Supervisor Janice Hahn. “Too often, the communities that feel the heat the most have the fewest resources to escape it. This Heat Action Plan prioritizes cooling centers, shade, and outreach so that seniors, families, and outdoor workers aren’t left behind as temperatures rise.”
Specific strategies include installing additional shade structures in public spaces, maximizing passive cooling in buildings, and strengthening the County health system’s capacity to respond to extreme heat events.
“As extreme heat events become more frequent, the County Heat Action Plan is a critical step in protecting our most vulnerable communities,” said Supervisor Kathryn Barger. “Recent emergencies have shown how weather impacts strain infrastructure and public health systems, especially in parts of the Fifth District where some of the most severe micro-climates impact residents.”
The plan has been designed for use by County departments and all 88 cities to align heat-related actions. It will also help community groups develop grant proposals and guide philanthropic organizations toward high-impact investments.
“The County Heat Action Plan is a call to action. Its success depends on County departments, unincorporated communities, cities, and regional and community stakeholders working together to advance heat resilience,” said Rita Kampalath, the County’s Chief Sustainability Officer.
