Improving adaptation to wildfire smoke and extreme heat in frontline communities: evidence from a community-engaged pilot study in the San Francisco Bay Area

Abstract

Exposure to climate hazards is increasing, and the experiences of frontline communities warrant meaningful and urgent attention towards how to mitigate, manage, and adapt to hazards. We report results from a community-engaged pilot (November 2021 – June 2022) of N=30 participants in four frontline communities of the San Francisco Bay Area, California, USA. The study region is an area where low-income, non-English-speaking residents are inequitably exposed and vulnerable to wildfire smoke, extreme heat, and other climate hazards. Building from a yearslong partnership of researchers, community organizations, and community members, we report the feasibility of a project piloting (1) instruments to monitor indoor air quality, temperature, and participant sleep health, and (2) interventions to improve indoor air quality and support protective behaviors. Data collection included experience-based survey data (via in-person administered surveys and a smartphone application) and interviews about heat and air quality, as well as data from an air monitoring protocol. Results cover the prevalence of hazard exposure and protective actions among participants. We discuss throughout methods for conducting and evaluating a community-engaged pilot, particularly by using a community ambassador program. Implications include the feasibility of community-engaged research projects, including discussion of resources required to accomplish this work.

Inverting social innovation to transform health system responses to climate change adaptation and mitigation in the global south

“…Each stakeholder group also requires access to accurate data and evidence, which are essential for making informed and timely decisions for complex intersectoral problems such as climate change. Inaccurate and invalid data from unreliable sources can result in disjoint and ineffective decision-making ( 44 )—an issue that became apparent in the inadequate response to climate disasters across the world in the summer of 2023 ( 45 , 46 ). Although there is no silver bullet for climate change adaptation and mitigation, there is an imminent need for a methodology that would amplify citizen voices and enable effective decision-making across sectors.…”

“…One such framework is the Smart Framework, which has been consistently used to implement a range of innovative interventions, such as climate change adaptation ( 46 , 58 ), co-creation of digital solutions for equity and justice ( 58 ), ethical surveillance promoting data sovereignty ( 59 ), and rapid jurisdictional decision-making ( 60 ). The application of the Smart Framework is driven by the integration of citizen science and community-based participatory research in addressing societal crises such as climate change.…”

“…Equitable engagement requires consistent community consultation to amplify the voices of disadvantaged citizens. To enable equitable engagement, communication between community members and intersectoral stakeholders is necessary for a comprehensive climate change response-a complicated process requiring extensive coordination among groups (44)(45)(46). Each stakeholder group also requires access to accurate data and evidence, which are essential for making informed and timely decisions for complex intersectoral problems such as climate change.…”