Beat the Heat: Extreme Heat Risk Perceptions & Air Conditioning Ownership in California

• This article uses survey data and other research to show how different populations in California perceive the risk of extreme heat and the proportions of people in California that have access to air conditioning. 
• The demographics analyzed include age, gender, political affiliation, race/ethnicity, home ownership, and housing type.
• The article offers a number of preventative measures that individuals can take in order to protect themselves during periods of extreme heat. 

Positives

• Easy-to-read graphs will help students understand the data discussed in the article.
• The article links to many other helpful articles and resources.

Additional Prerequisites

• The first link in the article provides an excellent overview on the increase in heat waves in the United States.
• Students should know how to read bar graphs.
  

Differentiation

• Science or social studies teachers could use the graphs as an opening activity to spark curiosity as to why different populations might perceive heat risk differently. This could be a great opener to an environmental justice lesson plan.
• Civics classes could discuss why the perceived risk of extreme heat differs for people in different political parties.
• Other resources on this topic include this video on the health risks of climate change, this article on dangerous humid heat extremes, and this video about extreme heat in Jacobabad, Pakistan.

This resource addresses the listed standards. To fully meet standards, search for more related resources.