In New York City, during the frigid winter months, apartments and public spaces must be kept heated to a certain temperature. However, in the summer months, where heatwaves, one of the leading weather-related causes of death in the United States, have become a common occurrence, there exists no policies to keep people cool. In order to promote resiliency and adapt to future increases in temperature, NYC is considering a maximum summer indoor temperature policy that would ensure that all New Yorkers have the right to remain cool and are protected from extreme indoor heat.
In this PRI livestream, we will explore how cities around the world are using maximum temperature policies as a tool to tackle the pressing issue of heatwaves & climate change and how the policy could be adopted. The event will feature a discussion with leaders from the United States and around the world who will share global best practices, innovative solutions, and successful initiatives in keeping their communities cool.
The impact of climate change and heatwaves on our health and the environment persists and we intend for this event to inspire action and collaboration among city leaders, businesses, and community organizations on this policy approach. Join us for a thought-provoking and informative discussion as we explore the right to remain cool in the midst of a global climate crisis.
This event has ended – watch the recording below!
Welcoming Remarks
Mitch Stripling, MPA
Director, NYC Pandemic Response Institute
Moderator
Ilias Kavouras, PhD
Professor and Chair, Environmental, Occupational and Geospatial Health Sciences (CUNY SPH)
Editor-In-Chief, Atmosphere
PRI Faculty Co-Lead: Workforce Capacity and Preparedness
Panelists
Betsy Cable
Code Compliance Manager, City of Phoenix Neighborhood Preservation Division
Andreas Matzarakis, PhD
Director, Research Center Human Biometeorology
Director, Heat Health Warning System
German Meteorological Service
Distinguished Professor, University of Freiburg
Cari Olson, MPH
Assistant Commissioner, Environmental Surveillance and Policy
NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
Abhiyant Tiwari, MPH
Lead – Health & Climate Resilience, India Program
Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC)