WASHINGTON – President Joe Biden unveiled a series of new measures aimed at protecting workers and addressing the impact of extreme heat waves across the United States. These initiatives include a hazard alert system to inform employers and employees about staying safe in extreme heat, efforts to improve weather forecasts, and increased accessibility to drinking water. The announcement comes as nearly 40% of the U.S. population is under heat advisories, with high temperatures already affecting the Southwest and more heat expected in the Midwest and Northeast. The capital, Washington, D.C., could see a heat index of up to 110 degrees Fahrenheit or 43 degrees Celsius on Friday. Scientists predict that July will be the hottest month on record, with ocean temperatures near Miami surpassing 100 degrees Fahrenheit. President Biden emphasized that extreme heat is the leading weather-related cause of death in the United States and acknowledged the undeniable impact of climate change on Americans. While these new measures address immediate climate change effects, President Biden is under pressure to declare a climate “emergency,” a step he has not yet taken. The initiatives announced today complement the administration’s long-term efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote clean energy, although these policies may not yield immediate results in the face of rising global temperatures. In order to protect workers, President Biden directed the Labor Department to increase inspections of potentially hazardous workplaces like farms and construction sites while also enforcing heat safety regulations more strictly. The Labor Department will issue a hazard alert to educate employers and employees about precautions to take in extreme heat. According to federal data, 436 workers have died from extreme heat since 2011. The Biden administration also plans to invest $7 million in developing more accurate weather predictions and $152 million in improving drinking water infrastructure and climate resilience in California, Colorado, and Washington. President Biden made this announcement alongside acting Labor Secretary Julie Su, as well as the leaders of the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The mayors of Phoenix and San Antonio, two cities heavily affected by heat waves, also participated virtually in the event. The mayor of Phoenix emphasized the unprecedented nature of this summer’s heat in her city and the toll it has taken on the community. Phoenix has implemented measures to keep residents cool, including the establishment of publicly funded cooling centers and the promotion of water stations throughout the city. San Antonio’s mayor highlighted the city’s efforts to transition away from coal and embrace renewable energy sources. The Biden administration has already taken several other steps to address the increasing threat of extreme heat, such as developing a standard for workplace heat management and expanding a program to provide low-income populations with access to cooling centers and air conditioning. Additionally, agencies like NOAA and the Department of Agriculture have been working to identify “heat islands” and promote tree canopy coverage in cities. The administration also launched a website called heat.gov, which provides information, maps, and tips for coping with extreme heat. Over 100 members of Congress have urged the administration to swiftly implement the new heat standard for outdoor workers, emphasizing the need for urgent action to prevent more deaths. Various advocacy groups have also called for nationwide regulations to protect outdoor workers, highlighting recent fatalities among farm workers in Florida and Arizona. As the nation experiences record-breaking heat, experts note that rising temperatures have often been overlooked compared to other climate risks, and the significance of addressing heat-related issues is now gaining recognition.
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