Saguaro cactus amid mid-afternoon sun.
The University of Arizona is playing a key role in a federal policy-shaping initiative to manage the effects of extreme heat.
Details for the new Center for Heat Resilient Communities were introduced yesterday. UA heat governance and urban planning expert Ladd Keith notes now is the right time and Arizona is the right place to help communities turn scientific research about extreme heat into action.
“Last year was globally the hottest year on record. In Arizona last year alone, we saw a record number of heat related deaths, 987 in Arizona and more across the country," he said.
The center’s research is being funded by the U. S. Department of Commerce and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
The initiative is being led by faculty and staff at UCLA and also includes Arizona State University as a research partner.
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