Tracking State-Level Heat Legislation V103

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:** With extreme heat getting worse all across the U.S., I wonder how states are handling the challenge. Are they putting policies in place that really help? **Avatar 2:** Great question. Actually, states are starting to introduce more policies addressing heat resilience, but until recently no one had been systematically tracking what each state is doing. That makes it hard to see trends or figure out what works best. **Avatar 1:** So is anyone working on creating that kind of information? **Avatar 2:** Yes! The Heat Policy Innovation Hub at Duke University is leading the first-ever comprehensive State-Level Heat Legislation Inventory. They’re reviewing and cataloging all heat-related laws across all 50 states. **Avatar 1:** That sounds huge. What kinds of policies are they looking at? **Avatar 2:** The Hub is examining a wide range of sectors—public health, labor protections, energy policy, infrastructure adaptations, emergency management—basically everything states are doing that relates to managing extreme heat risks. **Avatar 1:** How will this inventory help decision-makers? **Avatar 2:** By analyzing trends and identifying gaps, they can highlight which states are leading in heat resilience and where improvements are needed. It gives policymakers and advocates a clear roadmap to develop more effective and coordinated heat policies. **Avatar 1:** Will this information be available publicly? **Avatar 2:** Absolutely! They’re creating an interactive public database where anyone can explore state-specific policies and compare legislative approaches nationally. Plus, they’ll produce detailed reports tailored for policymakers and stakeholders. **Avatar 1:** Why is a project like this so important right now? **Avatar 2:** Without coordinated efforts, heat policies across states are fragmented and sometimes inconsistent. This project bridges those gaps and empowers governments, businesses, and community leaders to make informed decisions that improve heat resilience. **Avatar 1:** So, it supports the entire country in adapting to more extreme heat conditions by sharing knowledge? **Avatar 2:** Exactly. As climate change worsens heat events, having a clear understanding of policy landscapes enables better, more unified action to protect public health and critical infrastructure. **Avatar 1:** It sounds like a real game changer for heat governance. **Avatar 2:** It is. The Heat Policy Innovation Hub is helping lead the way to smarter, more equitable heat policies that can save lives and make communities safer across the U.S. 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! **Avatar 1:** It does, and ongoing research like this is essential for developing evidence-based policies and protections. The more we understand, the better we can safeguard both mothers and newborns from climate-related health risks. 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 Avatar 1: stay cool out there and bye for now Avatar 2 : bye bye

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