The Federation of American Scientists’ Grace Wickerson Named to ‘Grist 50’ List
The scientist convened 70+ organizations calling for federal action to address the health harms of extreme heat
Washington, D.C. – September 16, 2025 – Grace Wickerson, the Federation of American Scientists’ Senior Manager, Climate and Health, today accepted a national recognition, the “Grist 50” award, bestowed by the editorial board of Grist, a nonprofit, independent media organization. The annual Grist 50, started in 2016, recognizes fifty climate leaders working on unique and impactful solutions to the most pressing climate problems. Each year’s list is driven by hundreds of reader nominations. This is the first time someone from FAS has been recognized on Grist’s annual list for their work.
Extreme heat is an issue that now affects all 50 states and costs the country more than $160 billion annually. Wickerson led the development of the 2025 Heat Policy Agenda co-signed by more than 70 labor, industry, health, housing, environmental, academic and community associations and organizations. This resulted in over 100 policy proposals to address extreme heat.
“Grace and team have worked tirelessly to advance actionable, evidence-based policy solutions that will make our communities, and our country, more prepared to handle the growing threat of extreme heat. They have dug deep to understand the health effects of extreme heat and connect organizations across the country to call for all levels of government to take action,” says Dr. Hannah Safford, Associate Director of FAS Climate and Environment. “Their work is an outstanding example of policy entrepreneurship.”
FAS Extreme Heat Work
FAS is a leader in the development of evidence-based policy proposals to address extreme heat and wildfire, two hazards which worsen public health outcomes. With Wickerson, FAS has convened experts from around the country to surface strategies and solutions for federal, state, and local policymakers. The team’s latest work is Too Hot (Not) to Handle, a report on state and local strategies to address heat through resilient cooling.
In addition to the 2025 Heat Policy Agenda and the Resilient Cooling Strategy and Policy Toolkit, Wickerson and Autumn Burton, FAS Senior Associate, Climate and Health, continue to research and articulate the scope and depth of the extreme heat problem as it relates to physical landscapes and communities, public health and infrastructure, data and technology, and the workforce. Ongoing work and policy proposals include:
Economic Impacts of Extreme Heat: Energy
Impacts of Extreme Heat on Rural Communities
Impacts of Extreme Heat on Labor
Impacts of Extreme Heat on Federal Healthcare Spending
Impacts of Extreme Heat on Agriculture
Extreme Heat and Wildfire Smoke: Consequences for Communities
‘Grist 50’
This year’s Grist 50 includes entrepreneurs, artists, land stewards, and community advocates, and others working to address climate change. These stories are just a snapshot of the progress that is still unfolding all over the country — and a testament to the strength, diversity, and creativity of the many people pushing forward across the country. A full list of this year’s award recipients can be found here.
“It is an honor to be recognized amongst so many dedicated individuals. I look forward to connecting with fellow awardees in New York during Climate Week and working collectively to strengthen our respective efforts to address the climate crisis,” says Wickerson.
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ABOUT GRIST 50
Grist is a nonprofit, independent media organization dedicated to highlighting climate solutions and uncovering environmental injustices. Since 2016, we have published our annual Grist 50, a list of climate leaders to know right now — people working on unique and impactful solutions to the most pressing climate problems of today. Each year’s list is driven by hundreds of reader nominations, and illustrates what a vibrant, diverse climate movement looks like, while amplifying stories of those making a difference. The 2025 list of awardees is here: https://grist.org/fix/grist-50/2025/
ABOUT FAS
The Federation of American Scientists (FAS) works to advance progress on a broad suite of contemporary issues where science, technology, and innovation policy can deliver transformative impact, and seeks to ensure that scientific and technical expertise have a seat at the policymaking table. Established in 1945 by scientists in response to the atomic bomb, FAS continues to bring scientific rigor and analysis to address urgent challenges. Extreme heat work can be found at: https://fas.org/initiative/extreme-heat/
Grace Wickerson, the Federation of American Scientists’ Senior Manager, Climate and Health, today accepted a national recognition, the “Grist 50” award, bestowed by the editorial board of Grist, a nonprofit, independent media organization.
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