Exploring Innovative Ways to Beat the Heat
June 13, 2022
Cities across the American Southwest hit record high temperatures over the weekend, and scientists say heat waves will likely become even more frequent and intense with climate change. In Issues, Nicholas Weller, Mahmud Farooque, and Michelle Sullivan Govani detail how they are using what’s called participatory technology assessment to explore policy solutions to extreme heat in Phoenix. The process, they write, brings together policymakers and public citizens in a structured manner designed to “elicit good-faith discussion, shared understandings, and new ideas.” The deliberative process, they add, can also be usefully applied to other dilemmas involving science, technology, and uncertainty.