Sign Up to Help Cool Down Brooklyn
The World Meteorological Organization predicts that global climate patterns will be strongly affected by the return of El Niño in the Pacific this year. This means a higher than average number of 90-degree days here in Brooklyn.
So this summer 350Brooklyn will be out in neighborhoods on weekends to share information about what people can do to cope with the heat, and what they can do to address the larger problem, global warming.
350BK embarks on heat safety and climate outreach in Brooklyn this summer
Want to help?
Sign up to table with 350Brooklyn and get the word out about how to beat the heat!
Three Things You Can Do Locally
Here are a few actions you can take to ease the impact of heat waves right now.
1. 🌳 Care for trees
Trees not only shade us but they absorb carbon dioxide and breathe out oxygen. Trees can lower the temperature of surrounding areas by as much as 5 degrees.
- Water the tree in front of your home. A mature tree needs 8-10 gallons of water / week in the summer, while a young one needs 10-20 gallons.
- Ask New York City to plant a tree on your block. Request a Street Tree or call 311.
2. ❄️ Take advantage of air conditioning
If you don’t have air conditioning, spending 2-3 hours in an air-conditioned space helps your body cope. And low-income New Yorkers can get financial help with buying an air conditioner or fan, or with paying for the electricity to run it.
- Use New York City’s Cooling Centers. NYC opens air-conditioned buildings for extended hours during extreme heat. Find one or call 311. Note: link only live during heat emergencies.
- Apply for help getting an air-conditioner or paying electric bills. Apply on the City’s website or call 311.
3. 🌻 Support local parks & community gardens
Urban areas are hotter because hard surfaces like buildings, sidewalks and roads absorb and retain heat. Neighborhoods with few green spaces are “urban heat islands,” hotter than neighborhoods with lots of street trees and parks.
- Local parks often have a local association that advocates for that park. Find yours by calling (212) 360-1310 or visit the NYC Partnerships for Parks website.
- Find your local community garden by going to the Grow NYC page for community gardens. If you don’t have one nearby, start one! To find out how, go to the “Green Thumb” program page on the NYC Department of Parks website.
Resources
How to stay safe in extreme heat
These resources from local and national sources summarize ways to stay safe and help your neighborhoods become more resilient to the impacts of extreme heat:
- Local Actions to Help Manage Extreme Heat [PDF] (350Brooklyn)
- Extreme Heat Preparedness Checklist [PDF] (American Red Cross)
Help spread the word
Want to help fellow New Yorkers stay safe this summer? Sign up to table with 350Brooklyn and get the word out about how to beat the heat.