Opportunities to Advance Heat Island Mitigation Policy

Eva Wong and Edgar Mercado, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Keywords

Abstract

In an ideal world, communities would understand how heat islands form, and how they impact their lives. Decision makers would consider heat island mitigation strategies amongst other options they traditionally consider when mitigating pollution, reducing energy demand, and developing or redeveloping areas. Cool roofs and cool pavements would have a larger share of the market, and more shade vegetation would be planted.

While heat island mitigation research and implementation has progressed, significant advancements have yet to be realized. This lack of advancement may be due to the following barriers: (1) Heat island mitigation is interdisciplinary and technically complex. It requires partnering with multiple stakeholders to develop and implement policies and to obtain political backing to promote enforceable actions. (2) Many implementation questions still need to be addressed, and practitioners need guidance in various formats for different applications. (3) Decision makers do not have adequate information on benefits. (4) Stronger incentives need to be provided.

This paper discusses three areas where the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) can address these barriers and advance adoption of heat island mitigation policies – making them standard practice: (1) Integrate heat island mitigation with health policy and community development; (2) Incorporate heat island mitigation into air quality planning; and (3) Build state and local capacity by providing implementation guidance, technical assistance, tools, outreach, and forums for sharing information.