A sign of the growing recognition of the importance and urgency of the physical impacts of climate change, 2021 has seen a number of cities appoint Chief Heat Officers. These are new, super specialist and senior positions that will seek to drive adaptation to and mitigation of rising temperatures and extremes of heat within their urban areas. Miami and Athens are examples of cities where the position has already hit the ground running.
So what?
By creating such a senior and specific role in their city administrations, it shows a clear intent and prioritisation of resources towards adaptation to a particularly deadly physical impact of climate change. New careers have long been predicted through green jobs and the sustainable economy, and this is an extension of that trend. In all likelihood we will see universities and other education institutions ramp up the nurturing of people into such roles across the world.
Sources
-
Miami is the first city in the world with a chief heat officer https://www.fastcompany.com/90646879/miami-is-the-first-city-in-the-world-with-a-chief-heat-officer -
Extreme heat could make Athens uninhabitable, warns city's chief heat officer | CBC Radio https://www.cbc.ca/radio/thecurrent/the-current-for-aug-4-2021-1.6128943/extreme-heat-could-make-athens-uninhabitable-warns-city-s-chief-heat-officer-1.6129268
Join discussion