Arizona's Climate Change Adaptation Playbook: Heat, Water, Wildfire

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 Water for the City of Tucson - interview transcript

• Alekzander Ryan - Heat Resilience Initiative, Southwest Integrated Field Laboratory - interview transcript

• David Hondula - Director of Heat Response and Mitigation for the City of Phoenix - interview transcript

• Ryan Stevens – Engineering manager with the City of Phoenix - interview transcript

• Nicole P. Antonopoulos  –  Sustainability Director City of Flagstaff Sustainability Office - interview transcript

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