The United States is grappling with a severe heatwave, with nearly 40% of the population facing heat advisories. President Joe Biden has announced new measures to protect workers from the extreme heat, citing it as the number one weather-related killer in the country. The hazard alert will notify employers and employees about ways to stay protected from the heat, and the Labor Department will increase inspections of potentially dangerous workplaces.
The heatwave has already affected several regions, including the South West, Mid West, and North East. Washington will be spared, but the heat index in the capital could reach 43C on Friday. Ocean temperatures near Miami have topped 38C, prompting Mr. Biden to say that it is more like jumping into a hot tub than jumping into the ocean to ride a wave.
Mr. Biden emphasized that the heatwave is a global problem and is being caused by climate change. He cited federal data showing that July will be the hottest month on record and that extreme heat is having a significant impact on Americans. The President also noted that even places that are used to extreme heat have never seen it as hot as it is now for as long as it’s been.
The steps announced by the President aim to address the immediate effects of climate change, including the heatwave. The Labor Department will issue the hazard alert, and the administration will spend $7 million to develop more detailed weather predictions. Additionally, the administration will allocate $152 million to boost drinking water infrastructure and climate resilience in California, Colorado, and Washington.
Joe Biden (Via Joe Biden/Twitter)
The heatwave has had a significant impact on several cities, including Phoenix and San Antonio. Phoenix has seen at least 27 days in a row of temperatures exceeding 43.3C, and the city has reported at least 25 heat-associated deaths between April 11 and July 22. San Antonio has also been affected, with at least 15 straight days of 38C temperatures or above, and at least 13 deaths in Texas blamed on the extreme heat.
The heat has forced both cities to take action, with Phoenix setting up public cooling centers and encouraging the use of water stations. San Antonio, on the other hand, has moved to end the use of coal and is launching an advanced rapid transit line featuring low or zero-emission vehicles. The city is also developing solar power and other renewable energy.
The heatwave has highlighted the need for immediate action to address climate change. While the President has resisted declaring a climate “emergency”, his administration is taking steps to address the heatwave and its impact on workers. The measures announced by the President demonstrate a commitment to protecting Americans from the heat and addressing the root cause of the problem – climate change.
