We're working with scientists, community stakeholders, and citizens to map the urban heat islands in Columbia & Richland County.

Extreme heat is the greatest weather-related cause of death in the U.S., killing over 600 people per year. People working or exercising outdoors; people with other health concerns including diabetes, heart disease, obesity, and those who are pregnant, as well as young and older people face greater risks.  These risks are caused by both the health issues and in some cases by medication taken to treat health concerns.  The stress of extreme heat also detracts from the walkability, bikeability, and overall quality of life for residents and visitors, as even healthy people need to take precautions sometimes.

Urban heat islands are places where buildings, pavement, and other parts of urban environments amplify high temperatures compared to nearby vegetated areas, putting people at heightened risk of illness and death during extreme heat events. Urban heat islands also negatively affect a community’s livability and economic productivity.

The City of Columbia and Richland County have been selected to participate in a national and international urban heat island mapping initiative aimed at better understanding and guiding action to reduce heat health risks, encourage economic development, and improve overall quality of life in the region.

This effort is funded by a NOAA/NIHHIS grant program.  The grant application was submitted by the City of Columbia Tree and Appearance Commission with financial and in-kind support from the University of South Carolina Department of Geography, Benedict College Department of Biology, Chemistry, and Environmental Health; Columbia Green; the City of Columbia Planning and Development Services Department and the Public Works Department; the Richland County Conservation Commission, and the Richland County Department of Community Planning and Development. In addition,  the Charleston Resilience Network, Columbia Garden Club, Gills Creek Watershed Association, Medical University of South Carolina, Richland County Bar Association, SC Energy Office, SC Health Professionals for Climate Action, SC Wildlife Federation, SC Office of Resilience, and Sustain SC all provided letters of support and expressed interest in using the results to inform their work in the future.