Climate Thursdays with Ashley Ward

Ashley Ward, director of the Heat Policy Innovation Hub at the Nicholas Institute, joins 97.9 The Hill’s "News on the Hill" program every other Thursday to comment on the latest climate news.

In her latest appearance on Feb. 22, Ward discussed her recent work with the Heat Policy Innovation Hub at the Nicholas Institute and an upcoming conference in which she will be presenting.

Listen to past Climate Thursday interviews:

Jan. 11, 2024 - Participating in a week-long conference at Duke mobilizing community faith leaders to address climate change challenges

Dec. 28, 2023 - The top climate and sustainability stories of the year, including the record-setting heat of this past summer, and Canadian wildfire smoke.

Dec. 14, 2023 - Major takeaways from the UN Climate Change Conference in Dubai (COP28), including the first time the conference has focused on health.

Dec. 5, 2023 - Checking in during the UN Climate Change Conference in Dubai; discussing activities and trends at the conference.

Nov. 30, 2023 - Arrival in Dubai for the UN Climate Change Conference, activities of the first day, and what Ward looks forward to over the next several days at COP28.

Nov. 16, 2023 - Work that will take students to Puerto Rico this coming summer and her travel to Dubai for the UN Climate Change Conference.

Nov. 2, 2023 - Recent public Q&A sessions she's taken part in and speaking on climate change with the general public.

Oct. 19, 2023 - A recent briefing with lawmakers about extreme heat and policy implications of a farmworker's heat-related death.

Oct. 5, 2023 - Takeaways from Climate Week NYC and what happens with the Heat Policy Innovation Hub in cooler weather.

Sept. 21, 2023 - A Climate Week NYC panel on challenges, investment needs, and actionable solutions for addressing extreme heat and the announcement of the American Climate Corps.

Sept. 7, 2023 - A recent court ruling in favor of youth climate activists in Montana, why the Heat Policy Innovation Hub's work is critical right now, and upcoming Climate Week NYC.

Aug. 24, 2023 - The first couple of months of the Heat Policy Innovation Hub, media coverage and public perception around heat season, and how to prepare for heat going forward.

July 27, 2023 - Long- and short-term solutions for extreme heat and local government action to educate and protect residents.

July 6, 2023 - The launch of Duke's Heat Policy Innovation Hub by the Nicholas Institute and what it hopes to accomplish.

June 29, 2023 - A roundtable in Washington, DC, with state secretaries of the environment and thoughts on recent current events, including veto overrides by the North Carolina General Assembly with environmental impacts.

June 15, 2023 - How several recent extreme weather events fit into the broader story of climate change and federal funding opportunities.

June 1, 2023 - The lack of air conditioning in public schools across the US, plus budget impacts on programs aimed at mitigating the effects of extreme heat.

May 18, 2023 - The policy changes necessary to prepare for extreme heat with 2024 summer and El Niño season upcoming.

Apr. 20, 2023 - An op-ed Ward wrote on inadequate warning systems for heat-related weather events and a new report co-authored by Ward and Jordan Clark. 

Apr. 6, 2023 - The role of younger generations in addressing climate change and how the judiciary could impact climate outcomes.

Feb. 23, 2023 - The role of federal agencies in natural disasters and how the medical field can make an impact on climate health.

Feb. 9, 2023 - A climate conference in Miami and the environmental reaction to the State of the Union address.

Dec. 29, 2022 - The year in climate and sustainability and a look-ahead to 2023.

Dec. 15, 2022 - A trip to a Chatham County High School and the economic payoff for Chatham County’s investment in green technologies.

Nov. 17, 2022 - Climate implications of the midterm elections, COP27 (the annual UN climate conference in Egypt), and more.

Nov. 3, 2022 - Recent water forum on disasters, how local governments can position themselves to get federal disaster money, and more.

Oct. 13, 2022 - Vulnerable water systems locally and across the nation (with Martin Doyle).

Sept. 30, 2022 - Hurricane Ian, emergency preparedness, and the climate implications of extreme weather events.

Sept. 15, 2022 - Institutions' responsibility in combating climate change, a current hearing of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and more.

Sept. 1, 2022 - Duke Energy’s carbon plan, the water situation in Jackson, Mississippi, and more.

Aug. 18, 2022 - What local governments and municipalities can do to help mitigate the effects of climate change.

Aug. 4, 2022 - Climate provisions in the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022.

July 21, 2022 - Changing our approach to climate communication.