Washington, D.C. — Today, President Joseph R. Biden announced a series of actions he is taking to address extreme heat in American communities and hosted Phoenix (AZ) Mayor Kate Gallego and San Antonio (TX) Mayor Ron Nirenberg to discuss the threats facing cities. In response to the announcement, U.S. Conference of Mayors President Reno (NV) Mayor Hillary Schieve released the following statement thanking the president for recognizing and acting on the issue.
“There is a new reality that cities must confront each summer due to climate change. Mayors everywhere are springing to action and devoting resources to help keep people safe during these periods of extreme heat, but we can’t do it alone, and we’re grateful to President Biden for recognizing that this deadly threat demands a strategic response at all levels of government. The actions announced will help us today and into the future as we continue to face these extreme temperatures. We also know that the ultimate solution is addressing climate change head on, as mayors across America are doing. This administration has already taken historic action on climate change, and mayors are eager to continue working with the president to reverse this dangerous trend.”