Can officials appointed to combat heat save US cities from its dangers?

Despite lacking political power, officials tasked with tackling extreme heat offer life-saving solutions for rising temperatures across U.S. cities.

Zoya Teirstein reports for Grist.

In short:

• Recent years have seen record-high global temperatures, with the U.S. experiencing unprecedented heat waves threatening human health and infrastructure.
• Cities appoint chief heat officers to address the crisis, proposing solutions like tree-planting and public education on heat risks, but these officers lack authority to enforce policies.
• While some states resist implementing heat protections, others, like California, lead in adopting standards to safeguard workers and residents.

Key quote:

"There's very little authority behind these positions."

— Richard C. Keller, historian of medicine at the University of Wisconsin-Madison

Why this matters:

As climate change exacerbates extreme heat, cities face rising threats to public health, infrastructure and safety. Appointed officials play a crucial role in developing strategies to mitigate these impacts but need political support and resources to implement effective measures.