extreme heat
Credit: Philip Brookes
Construction worker's tragic end highlights the deadly impact of extreme heat on workers
Caught in a deadly heatwave, David Azevedo's effort to impress in a new job tragically cost him his life, underscoring the urgent need for better protections for outdoor workers.
In short:
- David Azevedo, working in extreme heat on a French construction site, succumbed to heatstroke, demonstrating the severe risk posed by rising temperatures.
- Despite showing signs of severe heat illness, David was left unattended for critical moments, which may have contributed to his death.
- The incident reveals the urgent necessity for stronger safety regulations to protect workers in increasingly frequent and severe heatwaves.
Key quote:
“Workers are compelled to be in the heat. They have to work or they lose their livelihood. This speaks to a wider dynamic: power and money determine your vulnerability to climate change.”
— Cora Roelofs, professor at the University of Massachusetts Lowell
Why this matters:
As heatwaves become more frequent and severe, our bodies are pushed to their limits, and the risks aren't just limited to those working under the sun. Read more: How youth can battle extreme heat in their communities.
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Newsletter
Credit: International Labour Organization ILO/Flickr
Indoor farming: a climate solution with hidden dangers for workers
Greenhouse workers face extreme heat and humidity, risking their health in structures designed to protect plants, not people.
Melina Walling and Dorany Pineda report for the Associated Press.
In short:
- Greenhouse and nursery workers are increasingly exposed to extreme heat, often exceeding 100°F, leading to heat-related illnesses.
- These workers lack adequate protections and breaks, making them vulnerable to heat stress, dizziness, and other health issues.
- Efforts to include greenhouses in indoor agriculture solutions need to account for better worker protections and enforcement.
Key quote:
"Many times we don’t leave to cool off for a short while. It’s not because we wouldn’t want to do it, but because we’re scared that they would dismiss us."
— Eulalia Mendoza, former greenhouse worker.
Why this matters:
This isn't just a labor issue; it's an environmental and public health crisis. With regulators slow to adapt and industry leaders often prioritizing profit over people, greenhouse workers are left in a perilous bind. Read more: “Dehumanizing” conditions for Michigan farmworkers.
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Newsletter
Credit: Graeme Maclean/Flickr
Deadly heat wave sweeps across the US, claiming lives
A severe heat wave has caused at least 28 deaths across the United States, with the toll expected to rise as high temperatures persist.
In short:
- The heat wave has primarily impacted California, Oregon, and Arizona, resulting in record-breaking temperatures and multiple fatalities.
- Most victims were elderly and found in their homes; other deaths include a motorcyclist in Death Valley and a baby in Arizona.
- Heat-related deaths are often underreported, as they are frequently attributed to other causes such as heart failure
Key quote:
“The extreme nature of the heat last summer and this summer has meant it’s in the forefront of everyone’s mind, including those in charge of classifying health outcomes and deaths."
— Ashley Ward, director of the Heat Policy Innovation Hub at Duke University
Why this matters:
As the climate crisis intensifies, the frequency and severity of heatwaves are expected to increase, posing a serious threat to public health and the environment. This brutal reminder of our changing climate heightens the pressure for action to mitigate the impacts of global warming. Read more: We are undercounting heat-related deaths in the US.
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Newsletter
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Wildlife struggles to survive amid rising global temperatures
As global heatwaves intensify, animals are increasingly unable to cope, leading to widespread deaths and altered behaviors.
In short:
- Extreme heatwaves are causing mass die-offs in various animal species worldwide, from howler monkeys in Mexico to Magellanic penguins in Argentina.
- Animals, such as koalas and bears, are adapting their behaviors to cope with the heat, but it is unclear if these changes are sustainable long-term.
- Birds are particularly vulnerable due to their poor cooling mechanisms, leading to significant population declines in areas like the Mojave Desert.
Key quote:
"This effect that climate change and extreme heat has on the living world really gets worse the less of the living world that we have left."
— Andreas Nord, ecologist at Lund University.
Why this matters:
The ripple effects of extreme heat extend far beyond the immediate loss of animal life. Ecosystems are being thrown out of balance, with predator-prey dynamics shifting and plant life also suffering. The same heat waves that are devastating wildlife are also a direct threat to human populations. Read more: Solving the climate crisis will help both ‘sacrifice zones’ and ‘cute’ puffins.
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Credit: International Labour Organization ILO/Flickr
Biden condemns climate denial, unveils new heat protections for workers
President Biden denounced climate change denial and announced new regulations to protect workers from extreme heat, as California and Oregon prepare for record-breaking temperatures.
Lisa Friedman and Noah Weiland report for The New York Times.
In short:
- President Biden emphasized the dangers of ignoring climate change and highlighted the deadly impact of extreme heat, proposing new regulations for worker protection.
- The proposed OSHA regulation would mandate that employers monitor workers and provide rest areas and water when the heat index reaches 80 degrees or higher.
- Environmental groups and labor unions praised the protections, while industry groups argued the rule would be costly and hard to implement.
Key quote:
“Anyone who wilfully denies the impacts of climate change is condemning the American people to a dangerous future and either is really, really dumb or has some other motive.”
— U.S. President Joe Biden
Why this matters:
Extreme heat is the deadliest weather-related hazard in the U.S., causing more deaths than floods, hurricanes and tornadoes combined. As climate change intensifies, extreme heat poses greater health risks, making protective regulations increasingly important for worker safety and public health resilience. Read more: We are undercounting heat-related deaths in the US.
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Newsletter
Credit: PAUL GAVINGER/Flickr
American workers face increasing heat dangers without adequate federal protections
Despite the rising threat of heat-related illnesses and deaths, the U.S. lacks comprehensive federal regulations to safeguard workers from extreme heat.
In short:
- In the U.S., heat kills more people annually than tornadoes, hurricanes, and floods combined, particularly affecting outdoor and indoor laborers.
- California has recently moved to protect indoor workers, and OSHA is expected to propose new heat protection rules, though they face significant opposition.
- Heat exposure can cause systemic inflammation and organ damage, leading to severe health consequences like chronic kidney disease.
Key quote:
"You can be completely hydrated and still have heatstroke."
— Jason Glaser, CEO of La Isla Network
Why this matters:
As climate change intensifies, workers are increasingly vulnerable to heat-related health issues, making it crucial to implement stronger protections to prevent further loss of life and long-term health complications. Read more: We are undercounting heat-related deaths in the US.
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Photo by Ella Ivanescu on Unsplash
Climate change linked to an increased risk of cardiovascular issues, including death
Exposure to environmental stressors related to climate change - such as extreme weather and high temperatures - is associated with a higher risk of cardiovascular disease, according to a review of 492 studies published in JAMA Cardiology.
In short:
- An increased risk of cardiovascular disease was specifically linked to extreme temperatures, ground-level air pollution, hurricanes, cyclones, and dust storms.
- In some cases, experiencing a combination of stressors (such as pollution and high temperatures) amplified the risk.
- Older adults, individuals from minority groups, and those in low income communities were disproportionately affected by these stressors.
Key quote:
“Urgent action is needed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and lower climate change–associated cardiovascular risk in vulnerable populations.”
Why this matters:
As climate change continues to alter global weather patterns, the environmental consequences examined in this article are becoming more common and more intense. With international climate agreements like COP28 failing to definitively address fossil fuels and other drivers of global warming, the authors emphasize the need to recognizethe human health impacts of climate change as a way to push for concrete action.
Related EHN coverage:
- Eliminating fossil fuels would save millions of lives, study finds
- Op-ed: How climate change harms pregnant people and their babies
- Oil and gas production responsible for $77 billion in annual US health damages: Study
More resources:
- Climate Change Resourcesprovides numerous sources of news, information, and avenues for action on climate change related issues.
- The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)assesses international climate change science.
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