The Daily – The Man Trying to Save Phoenix From Historic Heat

Intro

In this episode of “The Daily,” we explore the efforts of the chief heat officer in Phoenix, who is working to save the city from historic heat. As temperatures in Phoenix reach record-breaking levels, the city is facing significant public health hazards. The chief heat officer’s office is focused on coordinating relief efforts and implementing long-term strategies to mitigate the effects of extreme heat. Join us as we delve into the challenges and solutions surrounding this pressing issue.

Main Takeaways

Phoenix’s Response to Heat

• Phoenix has the country’s first publicly funded office in the city of government working on heat.
• Heat is a significant public health hazard that has fallen into a governance gap historically.
• The cadence of daily life has changed, with limited outdoor activities and public spaces being quieter.

The Role of the Chief Heat Officer

• The chief heat officer’s office has two missions: heat response and heat mitigation, with a focus on coordinating relief efforts and implementing long-term strategies for cooling the city.
• Lack of attention to heat compared to other hazards intrigued the chief heat officer and motivated him to study heat.
• The chief heat officer’s personal motivation is to use research to help local government make better decisions to serve the public and address the challenges of heat.

Challenges and Solutions

• More shade is needed in cities to create a comfortable environment for people during heatwaves.
• High electricity bills and lack of shade are the main concerns of communities regarding heat.
• City departments and community efforts need to coordinate to make progress in creating shade.
• Bureaucracy and rules make it challenging to implement initiatives like planting more trees for shade.

The Path Forward

• The heat office was created to shake things up and do something different.
• The responsibility of the heat office is to improve livability in Phoenix.
• The federal government is recognizing the need to move faster in addressing extreme heat, but there is currently no National Heat Center.
• Proposed legislation may open channels for FEMA to assist communities in preparing for and responding to heat events.
• The trajectory is positive, but the question is, does acceleration happen quickly enough?

Summary

Phoenix’s Response to Heat

Phoenix, facing historic heat, has established the country’s first publicly funded office dedicated to addressing the governance gap surrounding heat as a significant public health hazard. The impact of extreme heat is evident in the change in daily life and the need for limited outdoor activities.

The Role of the Chief Heat Officer

The chief heat officer’s office has two key missions: heat response and heat mitigation. By coordinating relief efforts and implementing long-term strategies, the chief heat officer aims to improve the city’s ability to handle extreme heat. Motivated by the lack of attention given to heat compared to other hazards, the chief heat officer utilizes research to support decision-making and address the challenges faced by the community.

Challenges and Solutions

The need for more shade in cities becomes apparent as a solution to creating a comfortable environment during heatwaves. Communities express concerns over high electricity bills and the lack of shade. To make progress in creating shade, coordination between city departments and community efforts is crucial. However, bureaucracy and rules pose challenges to implementing initiatives like planting more trees for shade.

The Path Forward

The establishment of the heat office signifies a commitment to innovation and a desire to improve the livability of Phoenix. While the federal government recognizes the urgency in addressing extreme heat, the absence of a National Heat Center poses challenges. Proposed legislation may pave the way for FEMA to assist communities in preparing for and responding to heat events. The trajectory towards addressing heat is positive, but the speed of acceleration remains a question.

Conclusion

The chief heat officer’s office in Phoenix is leading the charge in addressing the historic heat the city faces. By coordinating relief efforts, implementing long-term strategies, and challenging bureaucratic obstacles, the office aims to improve the livability of Phoenix and protect its residents from the health impacts of extreme heat. However, the urgency of the situation requires accelerated action at both the local and federal levels. As temperatures continue to rise, the need for effective heat planning and investment becomes increasingly evident.