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As wildfires swept across North America in the past few weeks, the world also broke an all-time heat record on July 22, when the global average temperature reached approximately 62.87°F. These disasters and extreme weather events are affecting everything from public health to infrastructure and ecosystem resilience.Ìý CU Â鶹ӰԺ experts are available to discuss a range of issues related to record heat, wildfires and climate change.ÌýEmail cunews@colorado.edu to schedule interviews with experts.Ìý

Water pollution from wildfires

Lauren Magliozzi is a doctoral candidate in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, and CU Â鶹ӰԺ’s Institute of Arctic and Alpine Research. She studiesÌý in the wildland-urban interface. She can discuss how urban fires impact water quality and aquatic ecosystems.

Health impacts of excess heat

Colleen Reid is an associate professor in the Department of Geography. ÌýShe studies how environmental and social exposures interact to influence health. She can speak about the from wildfires and extreme heat events.Ìý

Animals and natural disasters

Leslie Irvine is a professor in the Department of Sociology. She studies animal sheltering, abuse and welfare. She can discuss the and how to keep pets safe during wildfires.

Extreme weather on the power grid

Kyri Baker is an assistant professor in the Department of Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering, and a fellow at CU Â鶹ӰԺ’s Renewable and Sustainable Energy Institute. She studies ways to decarbonize the grid and improve energy system resiliency. SheÌýcan discuss the and the updates needed to address these issues.

Disasters on vulnerable groups

Lori Peek—director of CU Â鶹ӰԺ’s Natural Hazards Center and a professor in the Department of Sociology—studies and post-disaster recovery. She can explain how natural disasters disproportionately impact children, low-income families, people of color and other vulnerable populations.

Climate change

Pedro DiNezio is an associate professor in the Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences. They study the , and can discuss how climate change is worsening certain extreme weather events and natural disasters.Ìý

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