Reducing the Impacts of Extreme Heat: A Global Perspective

Originally aired August 27, 2020

Extreme heat is already the deadliest form of severe weather — and as the climate warms, heat events are becoming more frequent, more intense, and more deadly, particularly in the world’s most vulnerable regions. This session brings together leading researchers in thermoregulation, public health, and sustainability to examine the physiological, economic, and ecological dimensions of heat stress, and to identify evidence-based strategies for protecting human health at a global scale.

Speakers

Jennifer Vanos (Moderator)

Associate Professor, School of Sustainability, Arizona State University

Dr. Jennifer Vanos is an Associate Professor in the School of Sustainability at Arizona State University, where she leads research on human biometeorology and the health impacts of extreme heat. Her work spans urban heat islands, outdoor thermal comfort, children’s heat exposure, and climate adaptation — with a focus on translating science into actionable strategies for communities and policymakers facing rising temperatures.

Ollie Jay

Professor of Thermoregulatory Physiology; Director, Heat and Health Research Incubator, University of Sydney

Prof. Ollie Jay is a thermoregulatory physiologist at the University of Sydney and Director of the Heat and Health Research Incubator. His research focuses on how the human body responds to heat stress and how those responses vary across age, health status, and environmental conditions. He advises governments and international organizations on heat health guidelines and has developed practical, evidence-based cooling interventions for high-risk populations.

Arunima Malik

Senior Lecturer, Integrated Sustainability Analysis, University of Sydney Business School

Dr. Arunima Malik is a Senior Lecturer at the University of Sydney Business School, specializing in integrated sustainability analysis and environmental input–output modeling. Her research quantifies the economic and supply chain impacts of climate hazards — including extreme heat — and examines how climate risks ripple through global trade systems, particularly affecting workers and communities in low- and middle-income countries.

Shubhayu Saha

Health Scientist, Climate and Health Program, CDC

Shubhayu Saha is a Health Scientist with the CDC’s Climate and Health Program, where he studies the health effects of extreme heat and other climate-related exposures on vulnerable populations. His research informs public health surveillance, early warning systems, and heat emergency response planning — translating epidemiological evidence into tools that states and localities can use to protect communities during dangerous heat events.