Arizona's Climate Change Adaptation Playbook: Heat, Water, Wildfire
About this episode
This episode explores climate adaptation strategies in Arizona, focusing on extreme heat, water management, and wildfire risk.
In episode 244 of America Adapts , we adapt in the southwest! Welcome to the desert proving ground for climate adaptation. In my home state of Arizona—Phoenix, Tucson, and Flagstaff—we get right down on the ground to see how communities are beating extreme heat, planning responsibly for water in a changing climate, and living with wildfire risk without losing what makes these places home. You'll hear street-level fixes that change daily life—and travel anywhere—plus a clear playbook cities can steal now: run the hottest months smarter, put shade where people actually stand and walk, and build the partnerships that keep projects alive. We also spotlight the next wave of adaptation pros coming out of Arizona's universities and city halls—real careers, real impact. If it works in the desert, parts of it can work where you live. Made possible by generous support from the CO2 Foundation. Experts in this Episode : Dr. Ladd Keith – Associate Professor in the School of Landscape Architecture and Planning at the University of Arizona - interview transcript Fatima Luna – Chief Resilience Officer City of Tucson - interview transcript Blue Baldwin – Storm to Shade Program Manager at Tucson…
People in this episode
Host: Doug Parsons
Guests: Dr. Ladd Keith, Fatima Luna, Blue Baldwin, Alekzander Ryan, David Hondula, Ryan Stevens
Topics covered
- climate adaptation
- extreme heat
- water planning
- wildfire risk
- community resilience
- urban planning
Keywords
- climate change
- Arizona
- adaptation strategies
- heat resilience
- water management
- wildfire
- community planning
Sponsors
CO2 Foundation
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: University of Arizona, City of Tucson, Tucson Water
Places: Arizona, Phoenix, Tucson, Flagstaff
More episodes of America Adapts the Climate Change Podcast
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- Can Climate Adaptation Prevent Environmental Extremism—or Just Delay It?
- An Uninsurable Country: What Rising Climate Risk Means for Homeowners with NRDC
- The Endangerment Finding Explained — and What It Means for Climate Adaptation
- Advancing Adaptation with the McKinsey Global Institute
- Public Participation and Climate Adaptation in China
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