Climate change is the single biggest health threat facing humanity, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Today, we have proof that a changing climate puts the health of workers in jeopardy and reduces productivity.
Nearly half of the U.S. workforce (65 million people) face climate-related health risks, according to KFF, an independent health policy research, polling, and journalism nonprofit. In the last few months alone, we have seen this threat manifested in multiple climate events with devasting impacts. Major wildfires engulfed regions across North America as well as Hawaii, resulting in loss of life and economic hardship for millions of people. Beyond the burn zones, dangerous smoke affected millions more, impacting people with preexisting health conditions. In parallel, record temperatures and extended heat waves led to hospitalizations and heat-related deaths.
