Why Housing Policy is Climate Policy
It’s hard not to appreciate summer. With vacations, beach days, and warm evenings, to me, summer always feels like the most relaxing season of the year.
Yet, the extreme heat waves that have rippled across the country in recent years serve as a stark reminder that the summer heat we love has begun to intensify because of climate change. This week, nearly half of the states in the U.S. were under a heat advisory or an excessive heat warning from the National Weather Services (NWS). It feels like every summer a state will achieve a new record high for temperature.
Fortunately, in San Francisco, we’re mostly immune to the 100+ degree temperatures states across the country are forced to grapple with. Our coastal proximity provides a cool marine layer that protects us from the scorching heat. Moreover, with infill housing and a well-developed public transit system, the car-use and resulting greenhouse gas emissions in this region are relatively low. Numerous studies have proven that dense housing and abundant public transit serve as powerful defenders against climate change.
To put it simply, to address our climate crisis, we need to address our housing crisis.
Accomplishing this in San Francisco requires a multifaceted approach.
We must prioritize the construction of affordable, climate-resilient housing units near public transit. Policies and incentives must be put in place to encourage builders to create more homes in a climate-resilient manner. We need to implement creative financial tools, such as funding for all-electric buildings, to ensure that new housing is feasible.
We need more funding for housing overall.
We need to improve collaboration across all housing and climate stakeholders. For far too long the pro-housing and pro-environmental groups have been operating as two different factions. Good housing policy is good climate policy. We’re on the same team and the biggest loser from bureaucratic disagreements is our region and its residents.
The recent heat waves underscore the urgent need for climate-resilient housing in San Francisco. As we navigate the challenges of climate change, it is crucial to prioritize the development of affordable, sustainable homes that can withstand the environmental changes we are experiencing. San Francisco’s legacy of inclusivity and progressivism must extend to addressing the critical housing and climate challenges facing our community. By committing to a holistic, inclusive approach, we can ensure that San Francisco remains a welcoming and resilient home for all.
