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.
In the months before the election, Joe Biden’s most influential voice on the issue of our age shared his views on climate migration, open borders, the threat of nationalism, and the challenge posed by China.
Democrat Joe Biden is considering creating a special White House office led by a climate “czar” to coordinate efforts to fight global warming if he is elected president, according to people familiar with the deliberations.
