The Complex Art of Cooling Centers: Meeting the Growing Demand in a Warming World
As global temperatures soar, the demand for effective cooling centers is becoming more urgent than ever. In Ajo, Arizona, where temperatures exceeded 100°F (38°C) every day in June and July, the local library was the only refuge within a 40-mile radius. This situation highlights the critical need for more accessible and strategically placed cooling centers. On August 3rd, Ajo unveiled its first “COOLtainer,” a repurposed shipping container equipped with solar panels, a battery, air conditioning, and seating. This innovation is part of Arizona’s broader COOLtainer program, which has deployed 15 such units across the state, with more on the way.
The Need for Cooling Centers Is Growing
Cooling centers, which are often air-conditioned public spaces activated during extreme heat, are becoming an essential component of urban planning worldwide. Cities like Athens, Miami, and Tokyo have embraced these spaces to protect their most vulnerable populations. With 2024 on track to be the hottest year ever recorded, largely due to human-caused climate change, the importance of cooling centers cannot be overstated.
However, creating the perfect cooling center is more complex than merely providing air conditioning. Success hinges on community engagement, accessibility, and strategic placement.
Lessons from the Past: The Chicago Heat Wave of 1995
The devastating heatwave in Chicago in July 1995 serves as a cautionary tale. During that five-day heatwave, temperatures reached 106°F, and the heat index—a measure of how hot it feels—soared to 125°F. Despite the city’s efforts to open cooling centers, more than 700 people died. The centers were underutilized because the elderly, isolated, and economically disadvantaged—the groups most in need—were often unaware of their existence or found them difficult to access.
Decades later, this challenge persists. During Los Angeles’s deadly heatwave in September 2020, fewer than 300 people used the city’s six cooling centers. Similarly, during recent heat emergencies in New York City and Washington, D.C., some centers reported no visitors at all. Libraries were the exception, where several people sought refuge from the sweltering heat.
Barriers to Success: Awareness and Accessibility
A significant hurdle for cooling centers is simply making people aware that they exist. Many people were unaware of cooling centers or their availability until recently, according to Quinn Adams, a Ph.D. student studying environmental health at Boston University.
Location is another critical factor. Michael Allen, an associate professor of geography at Towson University, notes that many cooling centers are not strategically placed. In a study mapping 1,433 cooling centers across the Southeastern US, Allen and his colleagues found that only 36% of the population lived within a 15-minute drive of a cooling center. For vulnerable groups, that percentage was even lower.
Global Responses to the Growing Heat Crisis
In response to rising temperatures, governments worldwide are reassessing their cooling center strategies. Chicago, for example, has increased its resources for cooling centers since the 1995 heatwave. In Japan, the number of local governments setting up cooling centers has surged, with 740 municipalities having established such facilities by July 2024, compared to just 139 the previous year.
India, home to 1.4 billion people facing increasingly dangerous heat, has seen several local governments publish heat action plans that call for cooling centers. However, according to Avikal Somvanshi, head of the Urban Lab at India’s Centre for Science and Environment, no dedicated facilities have yet been built on the ground.
In Jodhpur, a city in northern India, nonprofits Mahila Housing Trust and NRDC India took matters into their own hands, unveiling a solar-powered cooling station earlier this year. This innovative solution features fans, misters, and a specially designed roof to maximize airflow, marking a significant step forward in addressing heat-related challenges.
Diverse Approaches to Cooling Center Implementation
There is no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to cooling centers. Some, like Arizona’s COOLtainers, are mobile and can be deployed where they are needed most. Others utilize existing infrastructure, such as senior centers in Tokyo, libraries in London, and mosques in Delhi. Some centers are only open during extreme heat events, while others remain accessible throughout the summer. The services provided also vary, ranging from simple air conditioning to offering water, snacks, seating, and even places to rest.
Maricopa County in Arizona, which includes Phoenix, has become a global leader in cooling center strategy. Over the past 20 years, the county has expanded its network of cooling facilities, offering hydration stations, cooling centers, and “respite centers” for extended stays. Phoenix alone now has more than 100 cooling facilities, including five city-owned sites with extended hours. As of early August, these locations had already received over 20,000 visits during their extended hours.
The Effectiveness of Cooling Centers: A Mixed Picture
While cooling centers are undoubtedly a crucial part of heat response strategies, research on their effectiveness remains limited. A study published in 2022 by Quinn Adams and other academics suggested that an unrealistically large number of people would need to visit these centers to significantly reduce heat-related deaths. However, in Maricopa County, cooling centers have proven more effective in saving lives, particularly among people experiencing homelessness.
Despite their importance, cooling centers alone cannot be the sole solution to protecting vulnerable populations during extreme heat events. “I’m never going to say cooling centers shouldn’t happen—they absolutely should,” says Sarah Henderson, scientific director of environmental health services at the British Columbia Centre for Disease Control. “But they can’t be the only strategy.”
Physiology experts, like Glen Kenny from the University of Ottawa, have also pointed out the need for more data. Kenny’s research shows that while spending a few hours in a cooling center can reduce core body temperature and heart strain, the benefits may be short-lived if people overexert themselves afterward, thinking they are no longer at risk.
Conclusion: A Complex but Essential Strategy
As global temperatures continue to rise, the need for well-planned and accessible cooling centers will only grow. Governments and communities must continue to innovate and adapt their strategies to ensure these life-saving facilities reach the people who need them most. While cooling centers are an essential part of heat response plans, they must be complemented by broader strategies to protect vulnerable populations during extreme heat events.
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