MECCA, Calif. (AP) — Limba Contreras recalls a time when her family relied on a water cooler and hose to combat the scorching heat in Oasis, California. Fast forward 50 years, and they now have air conditioning, but the lack of shade in playgrounds and fields remains a concern.
The Eastern Coachella Valley, known for its extreme heat, is home to mostly low-income Latino residents who endure temperatures exceeding 100 degrees Fahrenheit. The absence of trees and green spaces exacerbates the heat stress on the body.
Heat-related deaths have been a significant issue in the Coachella Valley, with 143 reported from 2013 to 2023. The shade equity master plan aims to address this by recommending policy changes and community input to create more shaded areas in unincorporated communities like Mecca, Thermal, Oasis, and North Shore.
Studies show that shade can reduce heat stress by 25% to 35% and lower temperatures by 20 to 45 degrees Fahrenheit. While many cities have adopted climate action plans using trees for cooling, rural areas like the Eastern Coachella Valley have often been overlooked.
The shade master plan, funded by a grant, involves collaboration between various organizations to increase climate resilience in marginalized communities. The initiative faces challenges in implementation due to unclear authority and funding requirements.
Residents, particularly farmworkers, are vulnerable to heat-related illnesses. The lack of shade in parks, fields, and schools poses risks, with some workers resorting to seeking shade in their cars after work.
Community members are actively involved in the project, attending classes on heat management and providing input on areas needing shade. The goal is to ensure that residents, especially children, have safe spaces to escape the heat.
Despite the challenges, there is hope for a cooler, more shaded future in the Eastern Coachella Valley. The project aims to protect residents from the harsh desert sun and create a more livable environment for all.
