Extreme Heat: What City-Dwellers Need to Understand - Vivek Shandas | #71

Extreme Heat: What City-Dwellers Need to Understand - Vivek Shandas | #71

From Urgent Futures with Jesse Damiani by Jesse Damiani

April 29, 2026 · 1h 4m

About this episode

The episode discusses the dangers of extreme heat in urban areas and features expert Vivek Shandas on urban heat islands.

When you think of threats from heat, your mind probably goes to wildfire threats. And don’t get me wrong, having lived through wildfires firsthand, they’re not to be underestimated! But the headline-grabbing nature of fires might overshadow the fact that plain old heat can be a real threat to your health. In fact, extreme heat is the leading cause of weather-related deaths in the U.S.; more than hurricanes and floods. Support the show by checking out: ProtonVPN (gold-standard VPN—fast and safe. Click the link to get 55% off VPN Plus: $4.49/mo). ZBiotics (Decrease impact of hangovers. Code: JESSEDAMIANI for 10% off), MUD\WTR (43% off starter kits), 1Password (simplify your life and increase digital safety), Mission Farms CBD (healthy, effective CBD for relief, sleep, and wellbeing—25% off with email). And this is pronounced in urban spaces, where a deadly cocktail of heat-exacerbating building materials and careless urban planning has created a situation in which, during heat events, cities can become especially dangerous. Today’s guest is an expert in the phenomenon of urban heat islands, areas that are significantly warmer than surrounding rural areas. Tree cover is one of the…

People in this episode

Host: Jesse Damiani

Guest: Vivek Shandas

Topics covered

  • extreme heat
  • urban heat islands
  • health risks
  • climate change
  • urban planning

Keywords

  • extreme heat
  • urban heat islands
  • health risks
  • climate change
  • tree cover
  • urban planning
  • weather-related deaths

Sponsors

ProtonVPN, ZBiotics, MUD\WTR, 1Password, Mission Farms CBD

Mentioned in this episode

Places: U.S., US

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