Mayors Worldwide Pledge Coordinated Climate Action to Combat Extreme Heat

In the lead-up to the upcoming UN climate conference in Brazil, a group of 300 mayors from around the world convened in Rio de Janeiro on Monday to pledge coordinated action against the rising threat of extreme heat affecting their cities. The summit, organized by the C40 network of mayors, highlighted the crucial role local leaders are playing in the global fight against climate change.

The UN's special adviser on climate change, Selwyn Hart, praised the mayors' efforts, stating that they are on the "front lines of the climate crisis" and are needed "more than ever" as the world enters the second decade of implementing the Paris Agreement. With national governments faltering, cities have stepped up, cutting emissions five times faster than the global average.

The mayors discussed the devastating impacts of extreme heat, which has caused illness, death, crop losses, and strained energy and healthcare systems. Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego shared how her city has repeatedly broken temperature records, reaching 118°F (48°C) not once, but twice this year. To address this, Phoenix is implementing measures like tree planting, cool-surface technology, and heat-relief training for first responders.

The C40 mayors also launched a global coalition called the Cool Cities Accelerator, which aims to help cities prepare for a hotter future. A coalition of 33 cities, including Austin, Boston, and London, has pledged to collaborate, share best practices, and report progress on emergency measures and infrastructure updates to protect residents from the effects of extreme heat.