On September 18, 2024, the Center for American Progress hosted a virtual conversation on policy proposals and actions to protect vulnerable populations from extreme heat. The conversation also touched on efforts to reduce the pollution that is leading to rising temperatures. The issue is particularly urgent: This summer was Earth’s hottest on record for the second year in a row, and 2024 is on track to be the hottest year recorded.
In her keynote address, Rep. Jennifer McClellan (D-VA) highlighted the impacts of extreme heat on Virginians and on communities across the country. She specifically noted the adverse impacts on children and emphasized the role of the Inflation Reduction Act in addressing the climate crisis and alleviating environmental injustice. Rep. McClellan stressed both her personal commitment and the need for continued dedication to reduce the pollution that drives climate change.
CAP Public Health Policy Director Jill Rosenthal then moderated a follow-up discussion with Dr. John Balbus, director of the Office of Climate Change and Health Equity in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; Mayor Levar Stoney of Richmond, Virginia; Dr. David Michaels, epidemiologist and professor at George Washington University’s Milken Institute School of Public Health; and the Rev. Terrance McKinley, vice president of movement building and strategy at the National Black Child Development Institute. Highlights included:
- Dr. Balbus discussed the importance of a federal response to deal with the severity of the extreme heat crisis. He championed federal resources, such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s HeatRisk tool, that businesses and localities can use to monitor and plan for extreme heat events. Dr. Balbus also discussed the Biden-Harris administration’s national heat strategy, which is coordinating a response to extreme heat across nearly 30 federal agencies and developing resources that address gaps in extreme heat planning, response, and resilience.
- The Rev. McKinley talked about the ways extreme heat intersects with systemic and historic inequities and neighborhood conditions to increase heat risks for Black communities and for low-income communities. He also stressed the need for solutions that are equitable, such as providing equal access to cooling, having workplace provisions that apply to all workers, and expanding health care access.
- Mayor Stoney discussed his strategy for tackling extreme heat in Richmond through intentional investments in disenfranchised communities. Those solutions include rebuilding the city’s tree canopy, expanding green spaces by converting city-owned land, improving walkability and accessibility to green spaces, incorporating reflective infrastructure, and reducing reliance on carbon.
- Dr. Michaels talked about the implications of the proposed Occupational Safety and Health Administration rule to protect workers from extreme heat that would both save lives and increase productivity. He also discussed the roles states and localities can play in mitigating extreme heat impacts by developing their own heat standards. Dr. Michaels made a striking comparison: The inequities that make it hard for a person to stay safe from extreme heat at work are similar to the increased workplace risks experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic, when people in “blue-collar jobs” had less power and flexibility to protect themselves.
CAP Public Health Policy Associate Director Marquisha Johns closed with remarks summarizing the event, thanked the speakers, and announced upcoming work from CAP on extreme heat, including a now-released report on maternal health and an anticipated issue brief on actions to ensure cool and healthy homes.
For clips and the full event video, see below.