NYC’s Fight Against Extreme Heat: A Citywide Effort
New York City faces longer, more frequent, and hotter heat waves due to climate change. Its response to extreme heat sans multiple departments and agencies.
Through my policy research, I have managed to identify over 30 programs coordinated across multiple agencies including at least ten city agencies that are actively involved. The Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) leads public health efforts, including identifying at-risk communities with its Heat Vulnerability Index (HVI) and the program Be A Buddy NYC, which connects volunteers to at-risk residents. NYC Parks and the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) manage long-term built environment strategies to reduce heat exposure like tree planting, green infrastructure, and Cool It! NYC features. Each agency plays a vital role in protecting residents from rising temperatures, especially those in high-risk neighborhoods.
The key multi-agency program that addresses extreme heat in the city is Cool Neighborhoods NYC, led by the Mayor’s Office of Climate and Environmental Justice (MOCEJ), which integrates tree planting, cool roof installations, and community outreach in heat-vulnerable neighborhoods. With the urban heat island effect, New York City is advancing several parallel, and sometimes complementary strategies which include expanding access to cooling through programs like HEAP, which provides air conditioners to low-income households; directing targeted interventions to areas identified as most vulnerable by the HVI; and investing in green infrastructure, including a citywide goal of achieving 30% tree canopy coverage by 2035. Additionally, the Be A Buddy NYC program developed and managed by the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) in partnership with local organizations builds neighborhood networks to check on and support isolated or at-risk residents during heat events.
To make the distribution and range of city programs clearer, I created an organizational chart that maps NYC’s heat governance system. This shows how programs, departments, and leadership structures that could be further coordinated in efforts reduce risk and build climate resilience across neighborhoods most affected by extreme heat.
Selassie Mawuko and Kara Schlichting at the CUNY Climate Justice Hub Summit, 2025.
To learn more about Selassie’s work or submit more programs, please write Kara Schlichting (kara.schlichting@qc.cuny.edu). To learn more about the city’s key heat-related programs, visit:
Mayor’s Office of Resiliency. (2017). Cool Neighborhoods NYC: Combatting the Urban Heat Island Effect and Advancing Environmental Justice.
NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH). (2022). Heat Vulnerability Index (HVI) and Heat-Related Mortality Reports.
NYC Department of Parks and Recreation. (2020). Urban Forest Agenda: NYC’s Vision for 30% Tree Canopy by 2035.
NYC Parks. (n.d.). Cool It! NYC – Cooling Resources and Shaded Spaces.
New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA). (2023). Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP).
Mayor’s Office of Climate and Environmental Justice (MOCEJ). (2023). https://climate.cityofnewyork.us
