As record-breaking temperatures begin to sweep across the globe, HERA (formerly Climate Resilience for All) has officially launched the Heat Science Hotline. This new, free rapid-response service is designed to bridge the gap between complex climate data and the urgent needs of policymakers, community leaders, and journalists on the frontlines of the global heat crisis.
Extreme heat remains the deadliest climate hazard in the world, yet those tasked with responding to it often lack access to localized, actionable science. The Hotline addresses this by providing direct access to a multidisciplinary board of experts, including meteorologists, architects, midwives, and data scientists, ensuring that heat solutions are both scientifically sound and practical for diverse environments.
Bridging the Science-Action Gap
The initiative arrives at a critical moment for global infrastructure and public health. “We are in a global heat emergency, and the people working hardest to respond are doing so half-blindfolded,” said Kathy Baughman McLeod, founder and CEO of HERA.
“The science exists. The expertise exists. The Heat Science Hotline makes both visible and transforms that disconnect by grounding solutions in the best available science.”
While not a traditional telephone line, the digital platform allows users to submit specific queries regarding cooling infrastructure, nature-based solutions, and early warning systems. Unlike standard generative AI, the Hotline provides insights rooted in human experience and intersectional science, specifically focusing on how heat impacts people based on gender, age, and occupation.
A Global Board for Local Realities
The Hotline is powered by experts spanning six continents, with a heavy emphasis on the Global South. The board is co-chaired by Neha Mankani of the International Confederation of Midwives and Dr. Gregory Wellenius, Director of the Center for Climate and Health at Boston University.
Mankani emphasized that the service will prioritize the most vulnerable, noting that “integrating evidence with practitioner insight… is essential to delivering better outcomes for babies and families” who are often overlooked in high-level policy. Dr. Wellenius added that the breadth of the board which includes specialists in thermophysiology and urban planning is necessary because no single discipline can capture the full complexity of heat risk.
Empowering Communities in the Global South
For organizations like the Green Africa Youth Organization (GAYO), which operates across countries like Ghana, Uganda, and Kenya, the Hotline represents a vital resource for scaling up climate adaptation.
Betty Osei Bonsu Adjei, Director of Operations & Programs at GAYO, highlighted the tool’s importance for youth-led movements.
“The Heat Science Hotline will be a critical tool for us, helping to ensure that our solutions are grounded in sound science and shaped by the realities people are experiencing now,” she stated.
By cataloging all responses and sharing them publicly, HERA aims to create a global knowledge base that helps decision-makers navigate funding processes and design more equitable, heat-resilient cities.
READ ABOUT THE GUIDELINE AT: www.heranow.org.
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