After record heat, UN issues ‘call to action’

Global temperatures are breaking records this week. And the United Nations is making an urgent “call to action” about the extreme heat that is killing workers and putting more people at risk from climate change.

The first three days of this week were the hottest ever recorded for the planet, according to preliminary data from the European Union’s Copernicus Climate Change Service. And it is now looking likely that 2024 could surpass last year and become the hottest year on record. In this context, United Nations (UN) agencies today released a new global analysis of worker heat stress, along with a roadmap on how to protect the most vulnerable.

Domingo probably set a record for the highest global average temperature recorded since at least 1940, the beginning of Copernicus’ work data set. That record fell on Monday when the global average temperature reached a new high of 17.15 degrees Celsius (62.87 degrees Fahrenheit). The next day arrived very close to being so hotaccording to preliminary data. This means that July 21st to 23rd were probably the three hottest days on record – at least so far. Greenhouse gas emissions from heat-trapping fossil fuels are increasing average global 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 Valley, where temperatures reached around 50.55 degrees Celsius (123 degrees Fahrenheit). The heat has made travel more treacherous in other parts of the world. At least 10 tourists from other countries were found dead or missing throughout hiking trails in Greece last month. At least 1,300 people died amid scorching temperatures in Saudi Arabia in June during the annual pilgrimage to Mecca.

Workers are routinely at risk of heat stress around the world, a report released today by the International Labor Organization (ILO). Heat causes nearly 23 million injuries and 18,970 deaths among workers worldwide each year, according to the ILO. More than 70% of the global workforce is vulnerable to extreme heat at work, it says, especially those who work outdoors or indoors without adequate ventilation or cooling.

A separation report released today by the Secretary-General and 10 different UN agencies issues a “call to action against extreme heat”. Sets out policy recommendations for governments, including stronger protections for workers. “Sensible occupational safety and health measures” would save economies $361 billion a year, according to the ILO. Labor productivity drops by 50% when daily temperatures exceed 34 degrees Celsius (93.2 degrees Fahrenheit).

Addressing the root cause of the problem, however, depends on transitioning away from the fossil fuels that cause global warming. “Countries must phase out fossil fuels – quickly and fairly,” Guterres said today. “The world must face the challenge of rising temperatures.”