Red and orange toned photo of a person holding a paper over their head to shield themselves from the sun

Heatwaves are our deadliest environmental disaster

We need a whole of government response including how we plan our cities, transport, energy and health care. 

Sweltering Cities works with communities across Australia to amplify real heatwave stories and advocate for community driven solutions.

Our campaigns

We’re running strategic campaigns to make a tangible difference in hot suburbs and homes. Our campaigns are driven by community need and informed by expert research.

Busted Bus Stops

People are waiting in deadly hot sun, at bus stops without shade or shelter.

Catching a bus should not be a health hazard. Join the campaign for better bus stops in Western Sydney.

Heatwave Safe Homes for Renters

We need better regulations for people who rent to keep them cool in dangerously hot summers. Especially when living in low energy efficient homes, or without cooling and insulation.

Image of Penrith with red and yellow tones

Cool Plan for Hot Suburbs

Climate change is making heatwaves longer and more frequent. And the new and existing infrastructure in our cities fails to protect us from extreme heat. We need to build cities that help us reach net zero, avoid urban heat islands and more.

Image of south asian woman wiping sweat from her forehead

Payments Not Penalties

Our everyday activities become dangerous during heatwaves. Especially for people who need to use public transport or walk to get around. People on Jobseeker payments are putting their safety second to go to appointments. No one should be penalised for prioritising their safety on a hot day.

Images of the Western Sydney suburb of Marsden Park captured in 2009 and 2022 by Nearmap.

How we work

Sweltering Cities works at the intersection of climate justice, inequality and health. We’re building grassroots power, telling compelling stories of extreme heat impacts and winning strategic campaigns that will make a real difference in cooling our homes and suburbs.

Aerial image of Melbourne suburb Werribee

Latest news


  • Barbara, a Perth local, reflects on living and planning in the heat

    Barbara, a Perth local, reflects on living and planning in the heat

    As Perth braces for another long summer, many of us are already thinking about how to stay cool. At Sweltering Cities, weโ€™re hearing from people across WA who are noticing how much harder itโ€™s getting to escape the heat. โ€Ž For Barbara Pedersen, a retired environmental planner living in inner-city Perth, the summer heat is…

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  • Event recap: Sydney Gender and Heat Community Symposium

    Event recap: Sydney Gender and Heat Community Symposium

    On September 26 more than 20 organisations, government agencies, the health sector, and universities, joined dozens of community members in Parramatta for our second Gender and Heat Symposium. The event followed the success of our 2024 Melbourne Symposium that explored how gender and heat intersect. Looking at how heat compounds impacts on women, girls and…

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  • Fairfield Climate Fete: Cool Suburbs, Just Futures

    Fairfield Climate Fete: Cool Suburbs, Just Futures

    Fairfield is recognised as one of the most heat vulnerable suburbs in NSW due to its surface temperatures, low tree canopy coverage, and socioeconomic and demographic data. We know that decisive government action can help create cooler, sustainable, and more equitable neighbourhoods for everyone. This is why Sweltering Cities, alongside groups such as Democracy in…

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  • Heat resilience around the world ๐ŸŒ

    Heat resilience around the world ๐ŸŒ

    With the public health impacts of climate change-fuelled heatwaves being felt on almost every continent, communities and organisations are coming together to improve heat resilience. Heat resilience aims to reduce urban heat, while also building the capacity of communities in adapting and responding to extreme heat events.ย  At Sweltering Cities, we know that heatwaves impact…

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  • NSW Budget analysis and Net Zero Commission open for comments: Share your thoughts on extreme heat initiatives!

    Scroll down for our hot takeaways from the 2025/26 NSW Budget (spoiler: we aren’t thrilled). The Net Zero Commission provides independent expert advice to the NSW Government in transitioning to a net zero economy. The commission is responsible for reviewing the climate actions currently being undertaken by the NSW Government and identifying recommendations to make…

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  • Sweltering Cities welcomes Climate Change Authority adaptation report, urges urgent action on fossil fuels

    Sweltering Cities welcomes Climate Change Authority adaptation report, urges urgent action on fossil fuels

    MEDIA RELEASEThursday 19 June 2025 Todayโ€™s Home Safe report from the Climate Change Authority is a timely and sobering reminder of the urgent need to prepare our communities for the worsening impacts of climate change. Sweltering Cities welcomes the reportโ€™s recognition that investment in climate adaptation and resilience pays dividends โ€“ not just financially, but…

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  • Heat and Accessibility in Coburg: Cool Walk Recap

    Heat and Accessibility in Coburg: Cool Walk Recap

    On April 12th, we met in Coburg to for our sixth Community Cool Walk. It was a great success, thanks to the 13 enthusiastic community members who joined us and shared their thoughtful ideas and observations about heat and accessibility in the area. Together, we visited different places around Coburg to see how heat affects…

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  • The Energy Debt Crisis

    The Energy Debt Crisis

    We know that access to cooling at home is crucial for preventing illnesses, hospitalisations, and even fatalities during extreme heat. However, rising energy costs are pushing more people into energy hardship and debt. The Antipoverty Centre’s report on energy debt, ‘Desperate for Relief’, provides a snapshot into the crisis of rising energy costs and unpaid…

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  • EVENT RECAP: Is Perth a Heat Safe City?

    EVENT RECAP: Is Perth a Heat Safe City?

    On Monday 14th April, we brought Perth community members, experts, advocates and local organisations for our very first WA Sweltering Cities event, aimed at tackling the big question: Is Perth a Heat Safe City? Spoiler alert: not yet – but the conversations, connections and ideas shared on the night showed that our community is ready…

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