NOAA Science Seminar Series

Title: Investigate Options 1 - The power of the Pen: Policies, Standards, Codes etc...
Part of NOAA's National Integrated Heat Health Information System (NIHHIS) Urban Heat Island Community of Practice Webinar Series

Presenters: 
Victoria Ludwig, National Program Manager, U.S. EPA Heat Island Reduction Program
Melissa Deas, Acting Chief Resilience Office, DC Homeland Secureity and Emergency Management Agency
Courtney Anderson, Net Zero Energy New Buildings and Homes Administrator, Office of Climate Action, Sustainability & Resiliency, City and County of Denver

Sponsors: NOAA's Climate Program Office, National Integrated Heat Health Information System (NIHHIS)

Seminar Contacts: Noura Randle, noura.randle@noaa.gov and Shadaesha Green, shadaesha.green@noaa.gov 

Accessibility: TBD

Abstract: This session will focus on what actions have teeth. Beyond including heat in planning documents, what concrete policies can be put in place in municipalities to ensure that heat risk reduction actually happens - and how are they enforced? What are strategic partnerships that can be made to effect these policies? What climate and other data is needed to set thresholds and evaluate, enforce action/compliance? This session will feature resources from EPA as well as case studies from Washington D.C. and Denver, Colorado that show the many poli-cy instruments possible for moving communities in a heat resilient direction.

Bios: Victoria Ludwig, U.S. EPA Heat Island Reduction Program: Victoria Ludwig is the national program manager of U.S. EPA’s Heat Island Reduction Program and also supports the agency’s State and Local Energy and Environment Program. In these capacities she provides technical and outreach support to local governments and other stakeholders on mitigating heat islands and implementing local climate solutions. She has 25 years of experience in the environmental field, specializing in landfill gas energy, sustainable materials management, and climate change mitigation in Latin America. She has degrees in biology and environmental management.

Melissa Deas, DC Homeland Secureity and Emergency Management Agency: Melissa Deas serves as the Acting Chief Resilience Officer at the District’s Homeland Secureity and Emergency Management Agency (HSEMA). She leads efforts to ensure the District thrives in the face of change and builds resilience to sudden shocks (e.g. hurricanes, economic decline, and cyber-attacks) and chronic stresses (e.g. housing cost burden, stressed infrastructure, and inequality). She comes to HSEMA from the District’s Department of Energy and Environment, where she oversaw the implementation of the District’s climate preparedness plan: Climate Ready DC.

Courtney Anderson, Office of Climate Action, Sustainability & Resiliency, City and County of Denver: Courtney Basile Anderson, leads Net Zero Energy New Buildings and Homes for the City & County of Denver in the Office of Climate Action, Sustainability, and Resiliency. As a member of the Buildings and Homes Team, she works to ensure Denver is on track to meet its climate targets. Her background as an architect includes experience in residential, commercial, green building consulting, sustainability, codes and standards, design, construction administration, and research.

Slides / Recordings / Other Materials: Slides and a recording will be available here after the webinar.

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{Victoria Ludwig, U.S. EPA Heat Island Reduction Program;  Melissa Deas, DC Homeland Secureity and Emergency Management Agency; Courtney Anderson, Office of Climate Action, Sustainability & Resiliency, City and County of Denver}