TAMPA PLAYBOOK V 82

Avatar 1: hellou there and Welcome to our EGreenNews Conversations.! Avatar 2: Pleasure to be here with you today. Avatar 1: What topics should we cover first? **Avatar 1:** Hey! With the way Tampa’s been heating up, have you noticed how tough it’s gotten just to get through a day outside? **Avatar 2:** Absolutely. It’s like the heat just won’t let up anymore. I was reading that July 2023 was officially the hottest month ever recorded on the planet. Can you believe that? **Avatar 1:** I know, right? And here in Tampa, last year we had 89 days where the heat index—that’s the "feels like" temperature with humidity—went over 100 degrees. That’s almost three months of serious heat. **Avatar 2:** Hold on, heat index... what’s that exactly? **Avatar 1:** It’s basically how hot it actually feels to your body when you factor in humidity. Tampa’s pretty humid, so the heat feels way worse than just the temperature that a thermometer shows. **Avatar 2:** Got it. So, this isn’t just uncomfortable sticky weather—it’s dangerous? **Avatar 1:** Definitely. Extreme heat is the leading cause of weather-related deaths in the U.S. Here’s a sobering fact: by 2030, Tampa could see more than 240 deaths a year due to heat. And by 2060, that number might jump to over a thousand annually. **Avatar 2:** Whoa, that’s serious. So what’s making it worse in Tampa? **Avatar 1:** A few things. We’re seeing more days with high heat indexes and longer stretches without cool nights to recover. Plus, certain neighborhoods are hotter than others because they have fewer trees and older homes without good insulation or air conditioning. **Avatar 2:** Yeah, I’ve heard East Tampa is one of those areas, right? **Avatar 1:** Exactly. East Tampa struggles with less tree cover, older houses, and a lot of folks with lower incomes who might not have easy access to air conditioning. The city is focusing extra efforts there — planting trees, adding shade at bus stops, splash pads, and better community cooling centers. **Avatar 2:** That makes sense. What’s the city doing about trees? They seem like an easy way to bring down the heat. **Avatar 1:** They sure are. Tampa has a big goal to plant 30,000 new trees by 2030. Trees can cool the air around them by up to 25 degrees Fahrenheit and shade surfaces by 6 degrees or more. They’re also working on creating “cooling corridors,” streets lined with shade trees so people can walk or bike without overheating. **Avatar 2:** Sounds great. Are they doing anything for public places and parks? **Avatar 1:** Yes, parks are getting more shade and water features like splash pads and fountains kids can play in to cool off. The city’s also updating schools with better shading and cooler routes for kids walking or biking. **Avatar 2:** What if someone doesn’t have air conditioning at home? That seems like a big deal in this kind of heat. **Avatar 1:** It’s a huge issue. The city has programs to help renters and homeowners get upgrades like better insulation or newer AC units. They also offer assistance with energy bills and weatherization to keep homes cooler without breaking the bank. **Avatar 2:** Good to hear. But what about when people are out and about? How do they stay safe besides avoiding the heat? **Avatar 1:** First, it’s important to stay hydrated and avoid being outside during the peak heat of the day — usually midday to late afternoon. Wearing loose, light-colored clothes helps too. And if you feel dizzy, nauseous, or overheated, that’s a sign to get inside and cool down. **Avatar 2:** Are there alerts or warnings to help people know when it’s too hot? **Avatar 1:** Yes! Tampa has a system called HEATSAFE. If you sign up, you get texts and emails with heat warnings and tips, plus information about cooling centers in your neighborhood. These centers are air-conditioned places like libraries, community centers, or pools where folks can escape the heat safely. **Avatar 2:** I like that. It’s a smart way to help especially folks who might not get the news otherwise. **Avatar 1:** Absolutely. There are even heat ambassadors being trained to check on vulnerable residents — like seniors or people with health conditions — during extreme heat events. The city wants to make sure no one’s suffering alone. **Avatar 2:** What about streets and sidewalks? Are those getting any cooler? **Avatar 1:** They are. The city’s testing “cool pavements” that absorb less heat. They’re also adding shade structures along sidewalks and planting more street trees. The goal is to make walking and biking doable even on hot days. **Avatar 2:** It sounds like a lot of things coming together to help people cope. **Avatar 1:** For sure. But it’s not just on the city. Everyone can help. Plant a tree if you can. Check on your neighbors, especially older folks. Use community cooling spots. And stay informed. **Avatar 2:** Such simple steps, but it can make a big difference. So, when the heat gets intense, what’s the key takeaway? **Avatar 1:** Stay cool, stay hydrated, stay connected. Extreme heat is one of the biggest threats Tampa’s facing with climate change. But through community action, smart planning, and simple habits, we can protect ourselves and each other. **Avatar 2:** Thanks for breaking all that down. I’m definitely signing up for those HEATSAFE alerts tonight. **Avatar 1:** Awesome! That’s a smart move. Stay safe out there. HOW ABOUT WE CHAT ABOUT CREATING A HEAT ACTION PLAN? **Avatar 1:** Hey, have you ever heard of something called a “Heat Action Plan”? **Avatar 2:** Not really, no. Is it like… a city thing, or is it something any community can do? **Avatar 1:** Actually, both. It’s basically a way to help a city—or just a neighborhood—deal better with extreme heat. There’s even this checklist—the Heat Action Baseline Assessment—that helps you figure out how ready your place is for crazy hot days. **Avatar 1:** Hey, did you get a chance to look at this Heat Action Baseline Assessment? **Avatar 2:** No, not yet. What is it exactly—is it one of those long surveys, or is it more of a guide? **Avatar 1:** Actually, it’s more of a checklist that helps you figure out how ready your city or community is for extreme heat. It’s designed for all sorts of folks—city planners, researchers, local officials, anyone trying to plan heat action. **Avatar 2:** So, if I wanted to use it, where would I start? **Avatar 1:** First step: go through a big series of yes or no questions. You’ll map out where your city stands on things like heat vulnerability, who’s most at risk, what kind of policies you already have, you know, that kind of stuff. **Avatar 2:** Makes sense. What kinds of info do you need to answer the questions? **Avatar 1:** You can pull from all over—government maps, census data, weather agency info, even local media. Basically, anything public that gives you clues about heat and who's affected. **Avatar 2:** Ok, what kinds of things does it ask about? **Avatar 1:** For example, it has you look at where the hottest neighborhoods are—like, do you have any Urban Heat Island maps, or temperature maps, or areas where older or vulnerable people live in higher numbers? **Avatar 2:** So you’re layering maps together? Like, temperature plus age, or income? **Avatar 1:** Exactly. The point is to spot overlaps—where the worst heat meets the most vulnerable people. That way, you can target resources better. **Avatar 2:** What about laws and local rules? Does it cover that? **Avatar 1:** Yeah, there’s a whole section on regulations. It asks if your city has rules or incentives for things like green spaces, reflective rooftops, or even AC installation—and whether these help or make things harder. **Avatar 2:** Does it look at how much is being spent on all this? **Avatar 1:** For sure—it covers budgets, too. It asks if there’s any dedicated funding for heat adaptation or warning systems, and if anyone’s tracking what works or not. **Avatar 2:** Is this just about government or are other groups involved? **Avatar 1:** Both. The assessment helps you map out all the key players—like local government, NGOs, community organizations, researchers. It even pushes you to look for who’s got trust and does the actual outreach. **Avatar 2:** So, once you’ve worked through the checklist, what’s next? **Avatar 1:** You get a clear snapshot of where your city is strong, where it’s got gaps, and what you could do next—maybe a new cooling center, changing zoning, running a public awareness campaign. And you can compare with other cities or track over time. **Avatar 2:** Sounds like a way to make sure you’re not missing any blind spots. **Avatar 1:** Exactly. Plus, if you want to go deeper, there are “advanced questions” that dig into the why and how—like, are certain policies making things worse for low-income neighborhoods, or do we have data on lost work hours during heat waves? **Avatar 2:** What about different solutions—does the assessment help with ideas? **Avatar 2:** Awesome. I might actually give this a try for our neighborhood. Thanks for walking me through it! **Avatar 1:** Happy to share. Let’s stay on it—these hot summers aren’t going away. Avatar 1 So much info coming your way, huh? Avatar 2 Actually, it’s more like a bunch of questions! Ready to get started? Avatar 1 Yeah, but how exactly should I begin? Avatar 2 Try following Hugi Hernandez, the founder of Egreenews. You might find him on LinkedIn or at egreenews dot org. Avatar 1 : Thanks for sharing that! I will write it down today! Adaptation measures alone will become increasingly insufficient to protect communities from the escalating risks. Avatar 1: Quick pause here — we’re talking heat action with some powerful insights from the Climate Central as well as the Red Cross Red Crescent Climate Centre and the World Weather Attribution. Their Extreme Heat Initiatives seriously open your eyes. Avatar 2: Absolutely. Their approach is setting new standards for handling heat. You’re listening to EGreenews Conversations, naturally. Now, back to what you asked. **Avatar 1:** Yep, totally. It helps you see which interventions are already in place, which might work for your area, and whether you’ve got the local materials or expertise you need to pull them off. **Avatar 2:** Is there any way to check if what you’re doing actually works? **Avatar 1:** Yes! Monitoring is a key part. The checklist includes space for tracking things like reduced indoor temps, more trees, fewer heat illnesses, that kind of thing. Ideally, you set indicators and keep reporting out to the community. **Avatar 2:** Alright, so to sum up: you use the checklist, find out where you stand, plan changes, and measure what happens. **Avatar 1:** That’s it. It feels a lot less overwhelming when you break it down this way. And it kind of forces you to connect with all the right people, not just sit at a desk with data. Avatar 1: Quick pause here — we’re talking heat action with some powerful insights from the Adrienne Arsht-Rockefeller Foundation Resilience Center. Their Extreme Heat Initiatives seriously open your eyes. Avatar 2: Absolutely. Their approach is setting new standards for handling heat. You’re listening to EGreenews Conversations, naturally. Now, back to what you asked. Avatar 1: Ever notice there’s always a catch to learning new stuff? Avatar 2: For sure! Not enough data, not the whole story—always missing something. Avatar 1: True, but it’s more about curiosity—finding new views from experts or what we experience. Avatar 2: Yep, mixing expert advice with real life makes it click. Avatar 1: It can get overwhelming, though. Avatar 2: Definitely. With so much out there, picking a place to start is tough. Avatar 1: If you want to dig into heat resilience, check the Climate Central and of course the work from the UNITED NATIONS! Avatar 2: Great call. I’m a fan of The and the World Weather Attribution—super innovative. Avatar 1: And the as well as the Red Cross Red Crescent Climate Centre has loads of helpful heat safety info. Avatar 2: Right, but people move things forward. Like Hugi Hernandez at Egreenews.org—he keeps climate talk creative. Avatar 1: There’s a whole network building solutions. Egreenews is launching new hubs, like eDisaster, so you can learn risk and resilience 24/7. Avatar 2: That’s awesome. Whether learning or connecting, there’s inspiration everywhere. LinkedIn’s packed with changemakers too. Avatar 1: So—want to start? These talks matter. Together, we prep our communities for disaster. Avatar 2: I’m in. Stick around—we’ll compare heat with other weather and what that means for leaders. Avatar 1: Hey, seriously, gracias a montón for being here today — really means a lot! Avatar 2: Yeah, thanks so much for sticking with us! ¡Hasta luego, everybody! Catch you all next time for sure. Avatar 1: Totally my pleasure. See you soon! Ciao, sayonara, and... you know, just take care till then!