Extreme Heat

Set a limit on the percent of impervious surface — area covered by impenetrable materials such as asphalt, concrete and rooftops — allowed on new construction and redevelopment on residential, commercial Use the State of North Carolina's recommended temperature thresholds to trigger heat response activities that support community preparedness, especially for frontline communities. Use overlay zones in your land use regulations to encourage or require safer development in the areas most at risk from climate change impacts. Beyond strengthening existing systems, increase system redundancy to protect critical infrastructure from power outages. Develop mechanisms to alert and protect outdoor workers from increasing temperatures and extreme heat events. Assess the need for passive and active cooling and resilience retrofits in government facilities. Consider the impacts of increasing heat events and higher nighttime temperatures on operations and maintenance Develop a notification system for natural hazards that is responsive to community needs. Use pavement materials that can withstand extreme heat and high temperatures. Advocate for more renewable energy sources at state level Coordinate with community members, transportation agencies and private entities to identify local and regional transportation, transit and active transportation corridors that are at-risk from climate Evaluate opportunities to increase shade trees and structures, reduce heat-absorbing surfaces and add “spray” water features and water fountains as part of all capital upgrades. Use the best available science and resilient design features in transportation infrastructure to improve resiliency to extreme climate events. Engage faith, civic and other community groups to co-organize volunteer opportunities to plant public and private trees. Test new technologies, materials and tools to increase preparedness for power outages during extreme weather. For example, test various means of backup power to protect traffic-control facilities, including Encourage employers to change workplace environments to reduce wildfire smoke and heat exposure. For example, adapt work hours, follow OSHA guidance and provide pop-up clean air shelters and appropriate Develop public health outreach strategies for vulnerable populations during heat waves. This effort could be in partnership with community organizations. Enable systems and techniques that reduce energy and conserve resources (e.g., graywater systems, green roofs, use of green energy technology) Plant trees or construct shade structures for livestock. Partner with local energy utilities to study the long-term effects of warmer summer temperatures and extreme high temperatures on summer load peaks and changes in residential air conditioning use in the Develop and implement a jurisdiction-wide green infrastructure plan that supports vegetation-based stormwater management best practices and strategies for managing urban heat.