Federation of American Scientists Public Policy Guidance for Extreme Heat

Summer 2026 was the hottest summer in 132 years, breaking over 3,000 all-time temperature records across the United States. Record temperatures disrupted life across the country, like when America celebrated its 250th anniversary and over half the population was under an extreme heat alert. Extreme heat has become a national economic crisis: lowering productivity, shrinking business revenue, destroying crops, and pushing power grids to the brink. Extreme heat is also taking a human toll. Heat kills more Americans every year than hurricanes, floods, and tornadoes combined.

Policy needs to catch up to the scale of the extreme heat problem, and fast. Nearly 150 organizations in 40 states endorsed a list of policy recommendations for extreme heat released by the Federation of American Scientists, with signers ranging from medical associations like the American Academy of Pediatrics to worker advocacy groups such as the National Council for Occupational Safety and Health.

Tune in as we speak with Grace Wickerson, Senior Manager of Climate, Health, and Environment at the Federation of American Scientists, about The State and Local Heat Policy Agenda.