We must prepare entire cities for extreme heat. Our new study reveals how

We must prepare entire cities for extreme heat. Our new study reveals how Gaby Clark Scientific Editor Andrew Zinin Chief Editor In Australia, the days are growing longer and summer is fast approaching. But a very strong El Niño—a natural weather phenomenon that drives variations in temperature and winds across the Pacific—could make this summer a sweltering one. This raises the question: Are we ready for extreme heat? Our new research examined how Australia's Greater Sydney region is preparing for surging temperatures and more frequent heat waves. In particular, Western Sydney is known for its stifling temperatures, at times being the hottest place on the planet. We found this citywide approach involves much more than simply telling people what to do when temperatures soar. A societal problem Many Australians know how to cope with hot weather. We drink plenty of water, close blinds and curtains, stay indoors when the sun is at its strongest and regularly check on family, friends and neighbors. This is good advice. However, not everyone can act on it. For some people, staying cool is much easier said than done. Not everyone can afford to keep the air conditioner running. Not everyone has a well-insulated home, particularly those living in older homes. Not everyone is well connected to their neighbors and wider community. This raises several crucial questions: - How can we protect those most vulnerable to extreme heat, including the elderly, pregnant women and people with existing health conditions? - How should we design houses, streets and neighborhoods to reduce heat exposure in the first place? - Where else can residents go if they need relief from soaring temperatures? Preparing a city for heat Our latest research took a closer look at how one city is preparing for extreme heat. The Greater Sydney Heat Taskforce, established in 2023 and led by the Western Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils and Resilient Sydney, aims to help nearly 5.6 million Sydneysiders cope with rising temperatures. This task force brought together 373 representatives from more than 40 organizations across government, health, emergency services and other sectors. Over an 18-month period, these representatives developed the Greater Sydney Heat Smart City Plan. The plan was launched in December 2024 and is now being implemented. The plan sets out 40 recommendations for action between 2025 and 2030. These cover topics such as raising awareness about heat-related risks, designing cooler homes and neighborhoods and protecting vulnerable communities. The plan also underscores the need for better coordination of services and emergency responses. Unlike floods and bushfires, which trigger specific, established emergency actions, extreme heat has historically fallen between different areas of government. As researchers working within the task force, we examined how the Heat Smart City Plan helped bridge these gaps and identified ways to turn its recommendations into action. Here are our three main findings. Coordination is key To create an effective plan, the Greater Sydney Heat Taskforce had to overcome organizations working in silos. For example, health agencies focus on heat-related illness, while councils manage public spaces and planning authorities shape the built environment. This means responses to heat risk are often fragmented. By contrast, the Heat Smart City Plan helped organizations build trust, clarify responsibilities and identify gaps in governance. Communities must be involved By engaging community groups, including Sweltering Cities and the Western Sydney Community Forum, the task force built community experiences into the plan. This boosted support for initiatives like Extreme Heat Awareness Day. Collaboration alone isn't enough Long-term funding, clear responsibilities and ongoing support from local institutions are key to the success of any citywide heat plan. The Heat Smart City Plan identifies the lead organization responsible for turning recommendations into action. We found this encouraged organizations to take ownership and incorporate heat preparedness into existing planning, emergency management and climate adaptation frameworks. The New South Wales government, for instance, is exploring how urban greening, improved shade and heat-sensitive building design can be incorporated into planning through its draft State Environmental Planning Policy. More work needed The Greater Sydney Heat Smart City Plan is a step forward, but the challenge now is turning its ambitions into practical, lasting changes across government and industry. Promising initiatives already exist. The Australian Red Cross's TeleRedi program, currently run in South Australia and Western Australia, sees volunteers check in on vulnerable people during dangerous weather. In Blacktown, libraries and other air-conditioned public facilities offer places to escape the heat, as outlined in the council's Beat the Heat guidance. These initiatives are not complicated or new. But making them available where needed requires long-term funding and coordination across housing, infrastructure, health and emergency services. Only then can we protect lives and communities in a warming world. Provided by The Conversation