Three Key Takeaways: Confronting Heat Challenges in the United States

Longer and more intense heat seasons in the United States are increasingly posing risks to human health and taking a toll on regional economies. A “brain trust” of leaders from across the country has released findings that could inform efforts to better protect vulnerable communities from extreme heat.

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The Heat Policy Innovation Hub at Duke University convened more than 100 researchers, policymakers and corporate and community leaders in June to identify ways to make communities more heat resilient. A new report from the Nicholas Institute for Energy, Environment & Sustainability—which hosts the hub—captures insights shared during conversations around three core themes at the inaugural HeatWise Policy Partnership Summit:

• Rural heat vulnerability: Developing tailored strategies for rural contexts, considering unique characteristics and needs of rural populations
• Data for risk, exposure and impact: Addressing data gaps in heat mitigation and resilience for informed decision-making
• Blended finance and the future role of insurance: Exploring financial tools for mitigating heat impacts through public-private partnerships

“As records for heat are set each year, every sector of society must meet the moment to protect disadvantaged populations,” said Ashley Ward, director of the Heat Policy Innovation Hub. “This report reflects a broad consensus among summit attendees on the need for immediate action, collaboration and targeted approaches to address the challenges posed by extreme heat.”

Here are three key takeaways from the report:

1. Systemic disinvestment, compounded by isolation and poverty, is a key driver of heat vulnerability in rural and tribal communities. Addressing both immediate and systemic challenges in these areas requires context-specific approaches and cross-sector collaboration.

2. Government responses to heat-related challenges are not well-understood. Existing systems and policies are inadequate to address heat as either a chronic or an acute stressor. New frameworks and approaches are urgently needed to guide future actions and focus the work. An integrated approach across sectors and levels of government is critical.

3. Engaging sectors such as finance insurance, and technology can drive significant change. Health insurance and utility companies are also currently under-engaged in discussions. Additionally, the impacts of heat on the private sector—including operations, logistics and transportation—are largely overlooked, representing untapped opportunities for engagement.

The report goes beyond these broad findings to analyze specific challenges and potential solutions related to the three core themes.  

More on the HeatWise Policy Partnership

The three-day summit in June served as the launch of the HeatWise Policy Partnership, which will network attendees for sustained collaboration to accelerate extreme heat solutions in the United States. The partnership is organized by the Heat Policy Innovation Hub, the first program in the United States dedicated to cross-sector innovation on extreme heat policy and practice.

The partnership is planned to operate in two-year cycles around a set of core themes informed by stakeholder engagement. The findings in the summit report will form the basis of outreach to federal, state and local policymakers, as well as industry organizations, about potential solutions to address extreme heat.

Sponsors of the 2024 Summit

The HeatWise Policy Partnership Summit was made possible by support from these organizations, who are investing in policy leadership to protect communities across the United States in the face of extreme heat.

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CITATION: Heat Policy Innovation Hub. 2024. Confronting Heat Challenges—Cross-Sector Strategies for National Resilience: A Report from the 2024 HeatWise Policy Partnership Summit. NI R 24-05. Durham, NC: Nicholas Institute for Energy, Environment & Sustainability, Duke University. https://nicholasinstitute.duke.edu/publications/confronting-heat-challenges.