Fossil Fuel Producers and Heat Waves on the U.S. West Coast

The U.S. West Coast has faced a series of record-breaking heat waves in recent years, from California’s Central Valley to Oregon and Washington. Scientists now emphasize that emissions from fossil fuel and cement producers—sometimes called “carbon majors”—have played a measurable role in making these extreme heat events more frequent and more intense. This article reviews the latest findings, what they mean for the West Coast, and potential steps to reduce risks.

How Fossil Fuel Emissions Drive West Coast Heat Waves

Attribution science has advanced to the point where researchers can estimate how much human-caused emissions, and specifically those from major producers, contributed to the intensity of a heat wave. In the Pacific Northwest and California, extreme heat is now considered several times more likely than it would have been in a pre-industrial climate. Key insights include:

• Nearly half of the observed increase in heat wave intensity worldwide is attributed to emissions from a relatively small number of fossil fuel and cement producers.
• Events such as the 2021 Pacific Northwest heat dome, which affected Oregon, Washington, and British Columbia, are estimated to have been several degrees hotter because of climate change.
• California’s 2022 September heat wave, which strained the state’s power grid, is another example where climate-driven intensification played a major role.

West Coast Impacts of Rising Heat

The consequences of fossil fuel-driven heat intensification are especially visible along the West Coast, where climate, geography, and population density combine to magnify risks. These include:

1. Health threats. Emergency rooms report spikes in heat-related illnesses, while vulnerable populations such as seniors, outdoor workers, and people without access to cooling face higher risks.
2. Energy demand and reliability. California’s rolling blackout threats in September 2022 highlight how extreme heat taxes power systems, forcing utilities to balance demand with supply under stress.
3. Wildfire conditions. Higher temperatures dry out vegetation, worsening wildfire risk in states like California and Oregon.

Limits and Ongoing Debate

Although fossil fuel producers’ contributions to extreme heat are increasingly well-documented, the science comes with caveats:

• Attribution is probabilistic, not deterministic—research shows how much more likely or severe an event became due to emissions, rather than assigning exact blame.
• Debates continue over responsibility: should fossil fuel companies be held accountable for emissions from consumers burning their products, or only for extraction and production?
• Regional variations matter: coastal influences, urban heat islands, and wildfire smoke all interact with climate-driven warming to shape heat impacts.

Strategies Moving Forward

To reduce the risks and impacts of heat waves intensified by fossil fuel emissions, the West Coast can focus on several key strategies:

1. Target emissions reductions. Holding large fossil fuel producers accountable through policy or regulation can reduce greenhouse gas levels driving extreme heat.
2. Expand heat resilience. Cooling centers, shaded infrastructure, and upgraded power systems can help cities adapt to hotter summers.
3. Public health preparedness. Early warning systems and community outreach can reduce deaths and illnesses during heat emergencies.

Fossil Fuel and Heat Waves

Heat waves on the U.S. West Coast have grown more intense and more frequent, and the contribution of fossil fuel producers is now well established in climate science. While responsibility is shared across society, evidence points to a clear role for major emitters in shaping the risks faced today. Understanding that role gives policymakers, communities, and individuals better tools to adapt, prepare, and demand accountability.