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Some US cities are promoting themselves as climate refuges despite concerns
Climate change is prompting some cities to market themselves as safe havens from extreme weather, but experts question their ability to truly offer protection.
In short:
- Buffalo, New York, markets itself as a "climate refuge" due to its moderate climate and low risk of extreme weather events.
- Other cities like Duluth and Ann Arbor are also positioning themselves as climate havens to attract residents fleeing harsher climates.
- Experts warn that no city is immune to climate change and stress the need for adaptation and infrastructure investment.
Key quote:
"I'm not saying climate change is going to be good for Buffalo, or Buffalo is going to be an oasis. We’re not an oasis, we suck less.”
— Stephen Vermette, professor of geography at Buffalo State University.
Why this matters:
As climate change worsens, more areas will become uninhabitable, pushing people to relocate. Marketing certain cities as climate havens could strain their resources and infrastructure, potentially leading to new challenges in those areas.
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Biden's new border policy endangers climate migrants in severe heat
Amid extreme heat in the southwest, President Biden's recent border policy endangers asylum seekers fleeing climate disasters.
In short:
- Biden's order closes the southern border to most asylum seekers when daily crossings exceed 2,500, risking heat-related illnesses and deaths.
- The policy forces migrants to wait in extreme conditions, with limited exceptions for entry.
- Critics argue the directive undermines climate-driven migration relief and is politically motivated.
Key quote:
“This executive order being issued at this time is an additional cruelty that will force more people into dangerous conditions where they’re exposed to a really severe climate impact.”
— Ahmed Gaya, director of the Climate Justice Collaborative at the National Partnership for New Americans
Why this matters:
Biden's policy could worsen health risks for migrants as climate change increases global temperatures. It contradicts previous promises to prioritize climate-related migration, raising concerns about the administration's commitment to climate justice.
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Florida farmworkers spearhead nation's most stringent heat safety measures in agriculture
In Florida, farmworkers have pioneered the strongest workplace heat protections in the U.S., setting a new standard for labor safety in agriculture.
Nicolás Rivero and Eva Marie Uzcategui report for The Washington Post.In short:
- Farmworkers in Immokalee, Florida, have created the Fair Food Program, setting the highest standards for heat safety in U.S. workplaces.
- The program, not enforced by government but by workers' coalition, mandates breaks, shade, and water, benefiting thousands of workers.
- Major buyers like Walmart and McDonald's support farms adhering to these standards, showcasing a successful model of worker-led safety initiatives.
Key quote:
"Farm owners have to comply because the risk of losing clients if they don’t treat workers well is so great that it can put them in a very difficult position relative to their competitors in the industry."
— Gerardo Reyes Chávez, Coalition of Immokalee Workers.
Why this matters:
This initiative highlights the power of grassroots organizing in improving workplace conditions, especially in sectors like agriculture where workers are highly vulnerable to climate impacts. It sets a precedent for other industries, demonstrating how ethical practices can be integrated into business models for the benefit of workers and consumers alike.
LISTEN: Nayamin Martinez on organizing for farmworker justice.
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Water migrants: Rising death toll in the Mediterranean
The number of deaths in the Mediterranean Sea in 2023 will soon surpass any year since 2015, the height of the Syrian refugee crisis.
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Scorching heat is contributing to migrant deaths
Amid a relentless heat wave, some migrants are succumbing to heat exhaustion. More than 500 people have died of various causes this year while trying to cross from Mexico.
Image by david diaz from Pixabay
How climate change is reshaping migration from Honduras
In Honduras, climate change is making it harder to live off the land. For the Pérez family and countless others, that's making the already difficult decision about whether to migrate even more complicated.
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Climate change ratchets up the stress on farmworkers on the front lines of a warming Earth
As Earth this week set and then repeatedly broke unofficial records for average global heat, it served as a reminder of a danger that climate change is making steadily worse for farmworkers and others who labor outside.
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