To watch livesteam of event click here.

For Immediate Release:
July 25, 2016

Media Contact:
Francys Vallecillo
305-883-5800

The City of Hialeah Joins the American Red Cross and other Partners to Discuss Heat Safety

What:
Mayor Carlos Hernandez and the City Council invite our friends from the media to join us for a first-of-its-kind event, titled “Hot for Hialeah”, on Wednesday, July 27th from noon to 1:45pm at the JFK Library. The City of Hialeah will partner with local leaders, the American Red Cross, Climate Scientist Nicole Hammer, Sea Level Solutions Center of Florida International University with Union of Concerned Scientists, artist Xavier Cortada, and Moms Clean Air Force in order to educate the public about climate change impacts.

According to NASA and NOAA, 2015 was, globally, the hottest year since record keeping began in 1880. The ten hottest years on record have all happened since 1998. The last eight months have all broken records for average monthly global temperatures. Miami is one of the most vulnerable places in the US to extreme heat events caused by climate change. A 2001 NRDC report stated “Projected global warming will raise Florida’s average temperature by between four and ten degrees Fahrenheit over the next 100 years. The summer heat index increase of eight to 15 degrees Fahrenheit will be the most dramatic in the nation.” Preliminary research indicates that Hialeah may experience relatively higher temperatures than other parts of the county. This may be due to various factors including its inland location, extensive urban development and sparse tree canopy. Low-income communities and seniors are some of the most vulnerable to extreme heat events. The City of Hialeah is hosting the American Red Cross and others to educate and empower residents, especially the seniors, in order to create resiliency in the face of climate change impacts.

Following the speakers, a performance piece of an egg frying a solar panel will take place.

Name of Event:
Hot for Hialeah

Address:
JFK Library
190 West 49 Street
Hialeah, FL 33012

Date and Time:
July 27th, Noon

About the participants:

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @SFLRedCross.

As a climate change researcher, Nicole Hernandez Hammer has studied how the cities and regions most vulnerable to the effects of climate change, storm surge and sea-level rise also have large Hispanic populations — something she learned firsthand growing up and living in South Florida. Today Nicole works with the Union of Concerned Scientists as their Southeast Climate Advocate, her focus is to mobilize the Latino community to better understand and address climate change.

Florida International University Sea Level Solutions Center (SLSC):
The Sea Level Solutions Center is dedicated to designing and implementing short- and long-term adaptation strategies for a prosperous South Florida in the 22nd century by advancing the understanding of sea level rise and its impacts, and converting this understanding into actions that benefit society on a global scale.

Xavier Cortada is the Artist-in-Residence, School of Environment, Arts and Society (SEAS), College of Arts, Sciences & Education (CASE) Florida International University and College of Architecture + The Arts (CARTA) Florida International University.

Karina Castillo is the Latino Outreach Organizer for Moms Clean Air Force in Florida. Karina holds a Masters of Professional Science degree in Weather, Climate, and Society from the Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science at the University of Miami. She also holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Meteorology and Applied Mathematics from the University of Miami. Karina has worked for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and for the Miami-Dade County Office of Emergency Management.

The City of Hialeah, incorporated in 1925, is the fifth largest municipality in Florida, serving over 233,000 residents living in approximately 20-square miles. Hialeah, located in NW Miami-Dade County, has a Hispanic population of over 94%. A working class community, Hialeah is viewed as an industrial city that continues to grow. “The City of Progress” as known to many, is home to many Cuban exiles. The City of Hialeah is a full service city offering quality and affordable services to residents of all ages and abilities. Hialeah is a vibrant, family oriented community marked by cultural heritage and traditions known for its myriad of mom and pop stores which productively compete against national retail and restaurant chains and franchises. The City of Hialeah is on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram!

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To watch livesteam of event click here.