Document Type
Article
Publication Date
2-17-2026
Abstract
Heat waves are increasing in frequency, intensity, magnitude, and duration, causing a disproportionate impact on marginalized communities exposed to urban heat islands. Newly emerging spaceborne thermal sensing instruments, such as ECOSTRESS and Hydrosat, now have the capabilities to measure urban surface temperatures accurately at the block level (< 100 m) and with enough frequency to capture transient heat waves (daily to subweekly). Such data are critical for monitoring and informing policy and mitigation efforts, such as resurfacing, green space, cooling stations, and medical mobilization. These serve to advance environmental justice and reduce health risks—and deaths—among the most vulnerable: minority, low-income, elderly, those with physical- and mental-health preconditions, unhoused, children, and outdoor workers. While scientists have increasingly used satellite data to quantify urban heat islands and risks to communities, there remains a significant gap in action resulting from such analyses—a figurative and literal “valley of death.” Reviewing over 500 scientific publications, we identify a critical lack of engagement with the communities being analyzed (10.9%; n = 58); yet, community engagement is key to bridging such analysis with subsequent action. Here, we demonstrate how participatory community engagement directly with data and analysis leads to increased policy changes and mitigation efforts. Our framework has immediate implications for how scientists may augment their work and thought processes to achieve objectives and impact from urban heat research, needed now in the face of accelerating climate change.
Recommended Citation
Fisher, J. B., Rivera, A., Cison, A., Agatep, A., Tacazon, K., Spiegleman, S., McKenery, A., Fisher, R. E., Archer, R., & Douglas, J. A. (2026). Satellites, Urban Heat, and Environmental Justice: Community as the Bridge Between Analysis and Action. Environmental Justice. https://doi.org/10.1177/19394071251413391
Copyright
SAGE Publications
Included in
Climate Commons, Environmental Indicators and Impact Assessment Commons, Environmental Monitoring Commons, Human Ecology Commons, Human Geography Commons, Inequality and Stratification Commons, Place and Environment Commons, Remote Sensing Commons, Urban Studies and Planning Commons
Comments
This is a pre-copy-editing, author-produced PDF of an article accepted for publication in Environmental Justice in 2026 following peer review. This article may not exactly replicate the final published version. The definitive publisher-authenticated version is available online at https://doi.org/10.1177/19394071251413391.