UNITED STATES – Across the United States, July’s heatwaves set more than 130 all-time records, following a years-long pattern of longer, more extreme summers around the world. While those with resources and power are able to protect themselves from high temperatures, vulnerable people have no choice but to live and work in life-threatening heat. On the first weekend of the month, at least 22 people died in New Jersey alone.
Heatwaves can be especially dangerous in areas that have not historically reached dangerous temperatures, where architecture may be designed to retain heat rather than manage it, and fewer homes have air conditioning. But increasing temperatures are dangerous everywhere, especially for people who are particularly vulnerable: the elderly, children, people with heart or respiratory conditions, and people taking medications that affect their body’s ability to manage heat. Manual laborers are also at particular risk.
Factory and warehouse workers are left to faint from the heat while management and union leaders enjoy air-conditioned offices. Many delivery vehicles lack air conditioning, and the heat is fatal to mail workers even in cooler summers. Migrant agricultural workers have even less power than most to defend themselves when bosses demand long hours of outdoor work without sufficient breaks.
During heatwaves, local and national government bodies frequently recommend limiting physical labor and time spent outdoors, but they do nothing to protect the people whose employers give them no choice. Large corporations, business associations, and state actors collaborate to prevent new regulations that would give workers more protection, claiming that such regulations would be “too burdensome and cost prohibitive.” Florida and Texas have gone so far as to prevent local governments from adding any protections themselves.
Outside of the workplace, low-income families are less likely to have central air conditioning, particularly renters or those living in older multi-family homes. The high demand during heatwaves also leads to spikes in energy prices, which can force struggling families to limit the use of the tools they have.
As the effects of climate change have made themselves known, over the last several decades we have seen a significant increase in heat-related deaths around the world. Heat-related deaths are difficult to count, as they can take many forms, including heart attacks and kidney failure, but excess deaths during heatwaves leave little other explanation. This year’s severe conditions began earlier than usual and are unlikely to improve in August, when summer temperatures usually peak.
