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What makes heat extreme, and who is really at risk? In this episode of People, Places, Planet, host Natalie Triana speaks with Ashley Ward, Director of Duke University’s Heat Policy Innovation Hub, about why extreme heat is one of the most dangerous and underestimated hazards facing communities across the United States —and why responding to it requires thinking beyond temperature alone.
From increasingly warm nights and rising cooling costs to strains on energy, agriculture, and infrastructure, the conversation explores why heat is more than a weather event and just how far its risks extend. Dr. Ward challenges common assumptions about who is really at risk, why hot nights and cumulative exposure matter, and whether air conditioning is enough to keep people safe. She also examines the current policy landscape, including growing state and local action, gaps in federal coordination, and the need for stronger collaboration among governments, businesses, and communities. This episode provides a broader understanding of extreme heat as a cross-cutting, growing risk that touches nearly every part of daily life.
Timestamps:
02:24 — What Makes Heat “Extreme”?
04:09 — Why Extreme Heat Is So Dangerous
08:22 — Who Is Most Vulnerable to Heat?
10:15 — Why Hot Nights Matter
12:20 — Beyond Air Conditioning
14:37 — Is the Heat Index Enough?
18:49 — Heat Policy in the United States
24:40 — The Private Sector’s Role in Heat Resilience
28:29 — What Individuals and Communities Can Do
Creators and Guests
Host
Natalie Triana
Natalie Triana joined the Environmental Law Institute as a Research Associate in July 2025. She is the host of the People Places Planet Podcast.
Editor
Lawrence Tang
Lawrence Tang joined the Environmental Law Institute as a Research Associate in August 2026. He provides editorial support for the People Places Planet Podcast.
NC
Producer
Nick Collins
What is People Places Planet?
Welcome to People Places Planet, ELI's leading environmental podcast. We talk to leading experts across sectors who share their solutions to the world's most pressing environmental problems. Tune in for the latest environmental law, policy, and governance developments.