Arizona State University

David Hondula

Phoenix has become the first city in the country to open a publicly funded Office of Heat Response and Mitigation; that’s part of nearly $3 million to deal with heat and climate change in the most recent city budget.

Miami, Florida, now also has a similar office, but its is privately-funded.

Phoenix recently named the new and first-ever director of that office: Arizona State University climate and health scientist David Hondula. He started with the city earlier this month.

The Show spoke with him and asked how he plans to prioritize where he puts his office’s efforts and resources, at least at first.

More Stories From KJZZ

• Arizona shelters are seeing a spike in demand for services
• Phoenix leaders to reconsider adding light rail into Maryvale