Should Extreme Heat Be Declared Disaster?

MONDAY, JUNE 24
PROGRAM #10416 12:00 PM PT

Should Extreme Heat Be Declared Disaster? Scorching heat waves are hitting tens of millions in much of the US in what could be the longest heatwave in decades for some areas. The early arrival of this much heat, as well as the duration and the lack of overnight relief worry scientists, who call this a “Danger Season” and a “Killer Heat.” Some call on FEMA to declare extreme heat and wildfire smoke “major disasters.” Who is most at risk? How are cities and states preparing for extreme heat disasters? How to stay safe? What would it mean to have extreme heat declared a disaster? How is climate change worsening heat waves?

Guest: Dr. Juan Declet Barreto, Senior Social Scientist for Climate Vulnerability, Union of Concerned Scientists;  Silver Spring, MD. 

Emergency Disaster Aid for Farm Workers. US lawmakers introduced a bill to provide compensation for farm workers who lose out on work and pay due to extreme weather, public health emergencies and other climate-fueled disasters. Farm worker leaders comment on this plan, called the Disaster Relief for Farm Workers Act. They are also urging Congress to include disaster assistance for farm working communities in the upcoming Farm Bill.

Guest: Antonio De Loera-Brust, Communications Director, United Farm Workers-UFW, Sacramento, CA. 

Heat Protecting Laws Benefit Workers and Help Students. California and other states are establishing rules to protect workers in hazardous environments against triple-digit heat. These same laws would be extended to schools, which have activities in the summer and often obsolete air conditioning systems, for the benefit of students too. KFF Health News reports on the new rules.

Guest: Paula Andalo, Ethnic Media Editor, KFF Health News, Silver Spring, MD.

Photo:Daniel R. Blume via Flickr 

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