New York City Beats the Heat - Part 1

What does it take to keep people in one of the largest cities in the world safe from extreme heat? I interview Kizzy Charles-Guzman, the Deputy Director of the New York City Mayor's Office of Resiliency, about what the City does every time a heat advisory is issued. With COVID-19 some of the advice NYC would typically give on heat ("go outside", "visit senior centers", etc.) is no longer feasible or safe. So, the City is undertaking a massive effort to provide cooling where people live by handing out air conditioners to low-income residents, and helping people pay their electric bills. Kizzy says, "air conditioners are life-saving medical equipment, not a luxury!" Listen to the episode to learn more.
This is part one of a two-part series. The second part of this episode focuses on why heat is an environmental justice issue in NYC and what can be done to address underly inequities. It is coming up next Tuesday.
References and Supplemental Materials:

• Cool Neighborhoods NYC
• Extreme Heat Awareness and Protective Behaviors in New York City

Lane, K., Wheeler, K., Charles-Guzman, K. et al. Extreme Heat Awareness and Protective Behaviors in New York City. J Urban Health 91, 403–414 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11524-013-9850-7

The intro music is Welcome to the Show, and the background music is Beauty Flow, both by Kevin MacLeod and is used under a creative commons license. The podcast art is by Melinda.

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