Summary: The National Integrated Heat Health Information System (NIHHIS) on Wednesday released the first-ever National Heat Strategy to promote proactive coordination between federal agencies on heat planning, response and resilience. Comments below from Duke University experts Ashley Ward and Jordan Clark are available for your coverage.
Ashley Ward
Quotes:
“Federal leadership is crucial for addressing the growing impacts of extreme heat on vulnerable populations across the United States,” says Ashley Ward, director of the Heat Policy Innovation Hub at Duke University’s Nicholas Institute for Energy, Environment and Sustainability. “This report represents years of dedicated work by NIHHIS and its partners. They have developed a sound, evidence-based strategy that can be implemented with the right resources.”
“The strategy’s emphasis on local engagement is its hidden strength. By recognizing the diversity of heat impacts across different communities, it’s setting the stage for a nuanced, bottom-up approach to resilience.”
“Policymakers need to be able to understand the cross-sector impact of heat on their constituencies, and the tools they need are often missing. The strategy provides them with the information and education to develop innovative and effective policy solutions.”
Bio:
Ashley Ward is director of the Heat Policy Innovation Hub at Duke University’s Nicholas Institute for Energy, Environment & Sustainability. She focuses on engaging communities to identify and address climate, environmental and health issues while helping them develop long-term, sustainable strategies relevant to their needs.
For additional comment, contact Ashley Ward at:
ashley.ward2@duke.edu
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Jordan Clark
Quotes:
“The central repository for heat messaging envisioned by the strategy might sound simple, but it’s a game-changer,” says Jordan Clark, senior policy associate at the Heat Policy Innovation Hub, a program of Duke University’s Nicholas Institute for Energy, Environment & Sustainability. “It could transform how we communicate about heat risks, improving heat literacy for everyone — from federal agencies to local communities.”
“By prioritizing multilingual, culturally competent heat communication, this strategy acknowledges a critical truth — effective heat response depends on reaching every community, not just the easiest to access.”
“NIHHIS has set the foundation upon which state and local governments can build to ensure heat-resilient communities.”
Bio:
Jordan Clark is a senior policy associate at the Heat Policy Innovation Hub, a program of Duke University’s Nicholas Institute for Energy, Environment & Sustainability. His work centers on the intersection of climate and health, with a particular emphasis on the impacts of extreme heat.
For additional comment, contact Jordan Clark at:
j.clark@duke.edu
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Media Contact:
Jeremy Ashton
jeremy.ashton@duke.edu