Mayors Share Heat Communication Strategies

Mayors in U.S. cities are sharing strategies to better communicate extreme heat risks to residents , as heatwaves become more frequent and deadly. A new Climate Mayors study revealed that residents need clear, practical information and proactive reminders during heat events.

Mayors Daniella Levine Cava of Miami-Dade County and Regina Romero of Tucson led a cohort developing a toolkit based on resident interviews and surveys. The toolkit emphasizes framing heat as impacting daily life, health, finances, and routines, rather than focusing on climate science.

Cities are pairing messaging with tangible investments like cooling centers and infrastructure improvements. Tucson implemented a heat action road map in 2024, including a worker protection ordinance, while Miami-Dade County installed air conditioning in public housing and planted shade trees.

Effective communication also requires targeted outreach in multiple languages and through trusted community partners. City leaders are collaborating with healthcare providers, utilities, and media to amplify heat safety messages and ensure resources reach vulnerable populations.