Behavior-encoded models reveal differentiated access to public cooling environment by race and income

Abstract

Extreme heat events caused by continuous anthropogenic climate change have been increasing. Establishing public cooling environments (PCEs) is imperative for protecting public health and enhancing productivity. Yet, disparities in access to PCEs based on race, travel behavior, and income status can undermine their role in helping communities cope with extreme heat. This study investigates the varied access to three types of PCEs across 40 U.S. counties. Our findings reveal that White people enjoy greater access to PCEs than other groups, especially to tree-covered green spaces (TCGSs), outperforming Black people approximately three times. Driving can disproportionately narrow the racial/ethnic inequality gap compared to walking. Non-expense-required public environments (NERPEs) and expense-required public environments (ERPEs) are less accessible to high-income groups. Our research underscores the ongoing challenges in achieving environmental justice through equitable PCE access and stresses the importance of further studies and policy actions to eliminate disparities.