Rural Heat Islands

Mapping and Mitigating Heat Stress in Farmworker Communities

Farmworker communities are vulnerable to heat stress, especially in the hot Central and Imperial Valleys of California. Climate change and reduced water availability will likely increase farmworker exposure to heat stress, and detailed mitigation and adaptation plans are urgently needed.

The Rural Heat Islands project’s objective is to map rural heat islands (RHIs) and assess their impact on farmworker communities to develop adaptation strategies, which are critically important for the success of California’s climate action and environmental justice.

The project is a collaboration between San Diego State University, the University of California, Santa Barbara, University of California Cooperative Extension, and Lideres Campesinas. It is funded by the University of California Office of the President (UCOP) Climate Action Grants.