Heat is the leading cause of climate-related deaths in the country, but knowing how deadly it is? A study from Texas A&M, however, projects the actual number could be four times greater, with approximately 11,000 Americans dying from extreme heat last year. A new pilot program in California is in the works to create a revamped heat warning system. Turner says we can get a better understanding of how extreme heat is affecting us as it’s happening, which could create more immediate heat protocols to protect people at home, at schools and at work. Los Angeles, which has its own Heat Officer, and Los Angeles County are expected to soon release Heat Action Plans.

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Persons: ” V, Kelly Turner, Turner, ” Turner, Jennifer Vanos, ” Organizations: Disease, Urban Planning, UCLA, Luskin Center for Innovation, School of Sustainability, Arizona State University, Extreme, Resilience, NOAA Locations: California, Texas, Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, United States