Biden calls climate change denial ‘dumb’, announces new heat protections for workers

SOUTH CAROLINA - US President Joe Biden on July 2 called denying the effects of climate change “really, really dumb” and said that extreme heat and other weather disasters fuelled by rising global temperatures have cost billions of dollars and thousands of American lives.

“Ignoring climate change is deadly and dangerous and irresponsible,” Mr Biden said. He warned that temperatures have already shattered records this summer, and are expected to climb, as he proposed new protections for workers exposed to dangerous heat on the job.

Mr Biden spoke at the District of Columbia’s emergency operations centre, where he and Cabinet officials were briefed on extreme weather developments across the country. His remarks were some of the most forceful he has given on climate change, and he used the moment to denounce Republican lawmakers who oppose his policies.

“How can you deny climate change, for God’s sake?” Mr Biden said. “They must be living in a hole somewhere.”

“Anyone who wilfully denies the impacts of climate change is condemning the American people to a dangerous future and either is really, really dumb or has some other motive,” he added.

Mr Biden noted that extreme heat is the deadliest weather-related hazard in the United States, responsible for more deaths than floods, hurricanes and tornadoes combined. The year 2023, the hottest in recorded history, brought 2,300 heat-related fatalities in the US, most likely an undercount because heat exacerbates other health conditions, while emergency room visits for heat illnesses surged.

The proposed regulation from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, if implemented, would, for the first time, require employers to monitor workers and provide rest areas and water when the heat index reaches 26.7 deg C or higher.

Employers would also be required to establish heat safety plans. The rule could apply to about 35 million Americans who work both indoors and outdoors.

Mr Biden also announced nearly US$1 billion (S$1.36 billion) from the bipartisan infrastructure law to help communities build resilience to weather-related disasters. NYTIMES