In this episode of the Urban Exchange Podcast, hosts Lauren Sorkin and Paul Wilson dive deep into the critical issue of extreme heat with Lenio Myrivili, Global Chief Heat Officer for UN-Habitat and the Atlantic Council. The conversation explores how rising temperatures are transforming urban experiences across the globe, from Athens to London, and the profound challenges cities face in managing increasingly intense heat waves.
Myrivili shares her journey from being Athens’ Chief Resilience Officer to her current global role, highlighting the dramatic transformation of urban heat challenges over the past decade. She reveals shocking statistics about global temperatures, including how 70 large cities already experience over 150 days per year of temperatures above 35 degrees Celsius. The podcast also delves into the physiological impacts of extreme heat, explaining how prolonged high temperatures can cause significant health risks, particularly for vulnerable populations. Myrivili emphasises that heat’s impact is deeply localised, making it challenging to create universal measurement standards.
A key theme is the importance of nature-based solutions, particularly urban trees and green spaces, which can help mitigate heat island effects. The discussion also touches on technological approaches like digital twins, with Myrivili advocating for focused, practical applications rather than comprehensive data collection. The episode highlights the growing recognition of cities’ roles in addressing climate challenges, with urban leaders increasingly gaining platforms to share their experiences and solutions at global forums.
Tune in for a sobering yet hopeful conversation, and understand how cities are confronting one of the most pressing climate challenges of our time, making this a must-listen for anyone interested in urban resilience and climate adaptation.
The Speakers
Eleni Myrivili
Global Chief Heat Officer
UN-Habitat
Paul Wilson
Advisory Board Chair
SmartCitiesWorld
Lauren Sorkin
Executive Director
Resilient Cities Network
About Eleni Myrivili
Dr. Eleni “Lenio” Myrivili is the Global Chief Heat Officer at UN-Habitat and the Atlantic Council’s Arsht-Rock Resilience Center.
Myrivili was elected to the Athens city government from 2014 to 2019 and was appointed Deputy Mayor for Urban Nature, Urban Resilience, and Climate Adaptation. Over the past decade, she has held roles as Chief Heat Officer and Chief Resilience Officer for the City of Athens, collaborated as a heat expert with the World Bank, and co-chaired the Steering Committee of the Resilient Cities Network. Her efforts in advancing heat resilience have established Athens as a leader in international urban climate adaptation responses.
About Paul Wilson
Paul Wilson is the Chair of the SmartCitiesWorld Advisory Board, and Chief Business Officer for the Connected Places Catapult. Paul has more than 25 years’ international leadership, sales and marketing experience in the B2B Technology Media Telecom sector, including being CMO of global digital transformation association TM Forum and $3bn SunGard Financial Systems.
After running the West of England LEP, Paul set up the multi-award-winning Bristol Is Open smart city project in 2014 and created the widely endorsed City as a Platform Manifesto a couple of years later. He went on to advise the UK Government on the design of its 5G Testbeds & Trials programme, and more recently on how the programme should evolve. He is an Honorary Research Fellow at the University of Bristol’s Smart Internet Lab.
About Lauren Sorkin
Lauren Sorkin is the Executive Director of the Resilient Cities Network where she oversees global efforts to strengthen cities in the face of the complex and interconnected challenges. Leading a team of urban resilience professionals across the globe in collaboration with Chief Resilience Officers in 40 countries, her work builds on the unique capacity, breadth, and legacy of the 100 Resilient Cities Program to enhance the resilience of communities and critical infrastructure. She also serves as an advisor and spokesperson on urban resilience, sustainable finance, climate risk, holistic health and women’s leadership.
