Tackling extreme heat isn’t a summertime job – it’s a year-round effort

really collaborative effort among the University of Arizona, Arizona State University, and Northern Arizona University. It’s a five-year programme that involves various activities, including connecting K-12 teachers to climate change resources so they can educate their students, as well as develop innovative models to integrate all these efforts.

Both projects actually align really well because they’re enabling me to explore both the urban and rural consequences of extreme heat.

SCW: Within that work where it extends into local government, how are job roles and responsibilities changing? What are the different decision-making processes like based on the resources available to deal with urban heat?

LK: The core expertise required remains consistent across the board, involving individuals from various fields. For instance, someone like Dave Hondula, who’s director of the city of Phoenix’s office of heat response and mitigation, coordinates a diverse group of people on extreme heat, including public health professionals, emergency management personnel, urban planners, and also collaborates with other organisations like the National Weather Service local office.

“The goal is to identify the right set of individuals who can contribute their knowledge and experience to address extreme heat challenges efficiently”

Regardless of the city’s size, the key players at the decision-making table are urban planners, public health experts, emergency managers, and meteorologists with a deep understanding of climate trends. Now, the interesting part is how these decision-making processes are structured, especially in communities that may not have the resources to establish specialised roles like a chief heat or resiliency officer.

In those cases, the challenge is to create effective decision-making forums without burdening the community with additional staff and expenses. One approach we are exploring is the establishment of task forces or collaborative initiatives that bring together stakeholders from relevant fields, for example, from across the state. This allows authorities to tap into existing expertise and pool resources without requiring new staff positions.

The goal is to identify the right set of individuals who can contribute their knowledge and experience to address extreme heat challenges efficiently. By leveraging existing talent and forming partnerships, even smaller towns can benefit from expert input and coordinated efforts.

SCW: We’re emerging from a period where heat and extreme weather has been dominating headlines – as is tends to at this time of year. What changes can be made to ensure that there’s a focus on heat year-round as a climate challenge?

LK: There has been significant focus on heat and extreme weather in the media recently, with a strong emphasis on record-breaking temperatures and their impacts. It’s understandable to highlight these occurrences because they feel startling, but my concern is that solely focusing on breaking records might create a seasonal pattern of attention towards heat-related issues. We need to recognise that the impact of extreme heat extends beyond the heatwaves that make headlines, and it affects human health, infrastructure, and the economy throughout the warmer parts of the year.

To maintain a year-round focus on heat as a climate challenge takes balanced and responsible reporting in the media. I’m part of the Global Heat Health Information Network’s Management Committee, and we’ve taken a proactive step by creating media guidance for heatwaves and health reporting. By improving the quality of reporting and offering a more nuanced perspective, we can foster a sustained interest and understanding of the issue among both journalists and the public.

As the interest in heat-related reporting grows during the summer, we also need to make sure that the coverage remains sophisticated and well-informed. It’s essential to explore new angles and delve into the broader implications of extreme heat beyond just breaking records. By highlighting the ongoing challenges faced by communities and the continuous need for heat mitigation and management measures, we can encourage the public and policymakers to prioritise heat as a critical climate concern year-round.

SCW: What have been some of the key developments you’ve seen at either local or national level in the US to get urban heat better recognised as a threat to not just public health and environment, but also the economy?

LK: At the national level, we’ve witnessed some significant developments in raising awareness about the threats posed by urban heat. One notable milestone was President Biden’s recent press conference dedicated to extreme heat. The President demonstrated that now is a pivotal moment for the country, by shedding light on the urgency of addressing heat-related issues and allocating more resources to combat its

impacts. President Biden also highlighted the ongoing efforts of OSHA to create safety labour laws with a specific focus on workplace safety in the context of extreme heat.

The National Integrated Heat Health Information System (NIHHIS) is an interagency initiative, and has just announced new funding opportunities for two new heat-related centres across the country. These are crucial steps to improve the nation’s preparedness and response to extreme heat events.

There has been some legislative progress with the re-proposal of the Asunción Valdivia Heat Stress Injury, Illness, and Fatality Prevention Act in Congress, too. This legislation directs OSHA to incorporate specific heat safety standards for workers, including provisions for breaks, shaded spaces, hydration, and emergency response protocols to prevent and address heat-related illnesses.

At the federal level, there have also been efforts to include “extreme heat” as a distinct category in FEMA’s list of major disaster qualifying events. This addition will enable FEMA to respond more effectively to extreme heat emergencies and allocate resources accordingly.

“A growing understanding among cities is that mitigating urban heat requires a comprehensive approach beyond singular strategies like urban forestry or cool pavements”

Moving to the state level, we have seen promising developments as well. States like California and Arizona have taken proactive steps to tackle urban heat challenges. California established a new heat-focused position and extreme heat and community resilience programme in its Office of Planning and Research. Its efforts include providing programmatic support to communities throughout the state who don’t have their own chief heat or resiliency officers.

Similarly, Arizona’s governor recently announced measures to address heat-related concerns. This includes programmatic efforts by the Arizona Division of Occupational Safety and Health to ensure workplaces offer adequate access to shade and water, as well as conducting regular checks to enforce safety measures. The governor has also reached out to utility companies to collaborate on power outage plans during extreme heat events.

There have been significant developments but there is still a lot of progress to be made in fully recognising the severity of extreme heat. It remains the number one weather-related killer, and further efforts are needed to bridge the gap and raise awareness year-round. A growing understanding among cities is that mitigating urban heat requires a comprehensive approach beyond singular strategies like urban forestry or cool pavements. 

This calls for more sophisticated modelling and field studies, such as those conducted through SW-IFL. These initiatives aim to more comprehensively analyse all contributors to urban heat in specific areas and provide cities with data-driven answers to effectively direct public resources and regulations for private sector development.

SCW: What advice would you give to cities just beginning to take action on urban heat, and what resources would you recommend they look at?

LK: My advice would be to take advantage of existing resources and knowledge because there is no need to reinvent the wheel here. The report I authored last year, Planning for Urban Heat Resilience, published by the American Planning Association, offers guidance and insights into what communities can do to initiate their efforts towards heat resilience.

Another essential resource is the National Integrated Heat Health Information System (NIHHIS) website, heat.gov, which is designed to serve as a hub for heat-related resources for communities at all stages of planning for heat resilience. For readers outside the US, the worldwide equivalent is the Global Heat Health Information Network (GHHIN), which can be found at ghhin.org, and offers insights and resources specifically geared towards addressing heat-related issues across the world.

“It’s all about taking action now to protect our communities, mitigate heat-related risks, and enhance our urban environments for a more sustainable and resilient future”

The key message I want to convey is the importance of collaboration and proactive planning when it comes to addressing urban heat challenges. It’s crucial for public health emergency managers, urban planners, and the local National Weather Service offices to come together at the local level for meaningful discussions and coordinated efforts.

We must recognise that planning for heat resilience should be a year-round endeavour, not just a response to hot weather. By assessing the successes and areas for improvement from the past summer, cities can use the fall, winter, and spring seasons to implement effective strategies and be better prepared for the next summer when extreme heat returns. It’s all about taking action now to protect our communities, mitigate heat-related risks, and enhance our urban environments for a more sustainable and resilient future.