Miami, which broke its own heat records last year, has named the world's first chief heat officer, and Athens, Greece, and Freetown, Sierra Leone, are next. Extreme heat can shut down planes, subways and trains, but the biggest risk is to human health -- 5,600 people die each year due to heat. Solutions such as cool pavements, sunlight-reflecting roofs and tree-shaded sidewalks exist but are often not sufficiently coordinated. Jane Gilbert, Miami's CHO, will work on identifying the neediest communities, retrofitting substandard housing and protecting outdoor workers.

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