L.A. quietly fires its first chief heat officer

"Marta Segura, the first chief heat officer for the city of Los Angeles, was quietly fired from her position last month, The Times has confirmed. Segura stepped into the new role in 2022 amid a marked increase in climate-fueled heat events. Her appointment by then-Mayor Eric Garcetti came with much fanfare, as it made L.A. only the third American city to name a chief heat officer, following Phoenix and Miami. Segura also previously served as director of the city's Climate Emergency Mobilization Office."

"Segura confirmed that the Bass administration let her go last month, as first reported by the Substack Climate Colored Goggles. She said no reason was given for the decision, but declined to comment further. Officials with the Bass administration said they are in the process of appointing a new person to the role."

""Extreme heat is one of Los Angeles' most dangerous climate hazards, and it will only become more severe without urgent action," said spokesperson Paige Sterling. The new chief heat officer will "advance Mayor Bass's Climate Action Plan," Sterling said, which includes developing the city's heat action and resilience plan, expanding tree canopies and implementing citywide cooling strategies. "We thank Marta for her service as the City's inaugural Chief Heat Officer.""

Marta Segura, Los Angeles’ first Chief Heat Officer, was terminated last month without a stated reason. She began the role in 2022 as climate-fueled heat events increased, following her appointment by then-Mayor Eric Garcetti. Segura previously served as director of the city’s Climate Emergency Mobilization Office. She confirmed the Bass administration ended her employment and declined further comment. The Bass administration said it is appointing a new Chief Heat Officer to advance Mayor Bass’s Climate Action Plan, including a heat action and resilience plan, expanded tree canopies, and citywide cooling strategies. Environmental leaders criticized the departures and questioned where environmental leadership has gone.

Read at Los Angeles Times