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

• Victoria Joseph and Leona Davis - University of Arizona's Institute for Resilience - interview transcript

This episode was generously sponsored by the CO2 Foundation.

Check out the America Adapts Media Kit here!

Subscribe to the America Adapts newsletter here.

Donate to America Adapts

Facebook, Linkedin and Twitter: https://www.facebook.com/americaadapts/ @usaadapts https://www.linkedin.com/in/doug-parsons-america-adapts/

Links in this episode:

https://climateaction.tucsonaz.gov/pages/gsi

https://www.awwa.org/AWWA-Articles/tucsons-storm-to-shade-program-creates-a-cooler-city/

https://www.flagstaff.az.gov/4687/Meet-the-Sustainability-Team

https://www.phoenix.gov/administration/departments/heat/heat-response-programs/heat-response-plan.html

https://www.abc15.com/news/local-news/phoenix-fights-urban-heat-with-expanding-cool-pavement-program-that-lowers-street-temperatures

https://www.phoenix.gov/content/dam/phoenix/oepsite/documents/climate/Heat.CAPWorkshops%202025%20AllSlides.pdf

https://www.coolseal.com/blog/az-family

Hiking Recommendations!

https://tucsontopia.com/tanque-verde-falls/

https://wildpathsaz.com/pusch-peak/

https://www.arizonahighways.com/cochise-trail

https://adventuresofaplusk.com/bear-canyon-to-seven-falls-trail/?srsltid=AfmBOopxtf54vPgFb6XX5rSiwzwPpfIXezBijXK_ClrUyed7McDH5TFx

Doug Parsons and Speaking Opportunities: If you are interested in having Doug speak at corporate and conference events, sharing his unique, expert perspective on adaptation in an entertaining and informative way, more information can be found here!

Facebook, Linkedin and Twitter: https://www.facebook.com/americaadapts/ https://bsky.app/profile/americaadapts.bsky.social https://www.linkedin.com/in/doug-parsons-america-adapts/ Donate to America Adapts