Beth Thornton

Girls Inc. in Carpinteria is now a climate resilience hub, offering solar power, air conditioning, and support during extreme heat. It's one of three pilot sites aiding vulnerable communities in Santa Barbara County.

As extreme heat becomes more frequent on the Central Coast, a local non-profit is working to make homes more weather resilient at no-cost for low-income residents.

Climate scientists expect more heat waves to hit the Central Coast in the coming years, which could put people’s health at risk. Medical experts say preparing for extreme heat can minimize visits to the ER.

Although the Central Coast is known for its moderate climate, projections for the region show an increase in the frequency and severity of heat waves in the coming decades.