Global temperatures are breaking records this week. And the United Nations is issuing an urgent call for action.call to action“on the extreme heat that is killing workers and putting more people at risk from climate change.
The first three days of this week have been the hottest on record on the planet, according to preliminary data from the European Union's Copernicus Climate Change Service. And now it's It seems likely that 2024 could surpass last year and become the hottest year on record. Against this backdrop, United Nations (UN) agencies today published a new global analysis of heat stress in workers, along with a roadmap on how to protect the most vulnerable.
“Extreme temperatures are no longer a one-day, one-week or one-month phenomenon.”
Sunday probably set a record for the The highest average global temperature recorded since at least 1940, the beginning of Copernicus data setThat record was broken on Monday, when the average global temperature hit a new high of 17.15 degrees Celsius (62.87 degrees Fahrenheit). The next day it reached Very close to being so hotaccording preliminary dataThat means July 21-23 was likely the three hottest days on record, at least so far. Heat-trapping greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuels are pushing up global average temperatures and making heat waves more frequent and intense.
A tourist suffered third-degree burns to his feet and had to be rescued after losing or breaking his flip-flops. in California's Death Valleywhere temperatures reached 50.55 degrees Celsius (123 degrees Fahrenheit). The heat has made travel more dangerous in other parts of the world. At least 10 tourists from other countries were found dead or missing throughout the Hiking routes in Greece last month. At least 1,300 people died amid scorching temperatures in Saudi Arabia this June during the annual pilgrimage to Mecca.
Workers around the world are at constant risk of heat stress. report The report released today by the International Labour Organization (ILO) shows that heat causes nearly 23 million injuries and 18,970 deaths of workers worldwide every year. According to the ILOMore than 70 percent of the global workforce is vulnerable to extreme heat at work, it says, particularly those who work outdoors or in enclosed spaces without adequate ventilation or cooling.
A seperation report The report released today by the Secretary-General and ten UN agencies calls for action on extreme heat. It makes policy recommendations for governments, including stronger protection measures for workers. According to the ILO, “sensible occupational safety and health measures” would save economies $361 billion a year. Labour productivity drops by 50 per cent when daily temperatures exceed 34 degrees Celsius (93.2 degrees Fahrenheit).
However, addressing the root cause of the problem requires moving away from fossil fuels that cause global warming. “Countries must phase out fossil fuels, quickly and fairly,” Guterres said today. “The world must rise to the challenge of rising temperatures.”
