Urban Temps Turning Cities Into 'Ovens,' UN Chief Heat Officer Warns

Eleni Myrivili, Global Chief Heat Officer for UN-Habitat, said cities are 'the Ground Zero of heat' due to their dire impacts on vulnerable populations (Credit: AFP)

Whether in Miami, Athens, or Santiago, dedicated ambassadors are stepping up to tackle extreme urban heat around the world.

Eleni Myrivili, one of the field's pioneers who currently serves as the Global Chief Heat Officer for UN-Habitat, spoke to AFP about the urgent need to redesign cities to keep asphalt-riddled areas from turning into impossible-to-escape "ovens" for the most vulnerable populations.