Labor and environmental groups push FEMA to classify extreme heat as a major disaster

A coalition of labor, environmental, and healthcare organizations is urging FEMA to classify extreme heat and wildfire smoke as major disasters, aiming to unlock federal funds for community protection and worker safety.

Manuela Andreoni reports for The New York Times.

In short:

More than 60 groups filed a petition for FEMA to classify extreme heat and wildfire smoke as major disasters.
The move is supported by major labor unions aiming to protect outdoor workers and those without air-conditioning during heat waves.
Previous attempts to classify heat waves as disasters were denied, but petitioners cite the precedent of COVID-19's disaster declaration to bolster their case.

Key quote:

“We are never going to be able to address the changing climate or threats to the future under the existing system.”

— Brock Long, FEMA administrator during the Trump administration

Why this matters:

Extreme heat kills more people in the U.S. annually than hurricanes and floods combined. Recognizing heat as a major disaster would improve public health protections and infrastructure resilience. Read more: We are undercounting heat-related deaths in the US.

www.nytimes.com

Labor and environmental groups push FEMA to classify extreme heat as a major disaster

Europeans’ ‘psychological bias’ to climate change risks slowing down progress, warns study

Corpus Christi drills wells to prevent looming water crisis

Wyoming's top officials promise to reckon with ever-increasing wind projects, other development

Himalayan winters are seeing less snowfall as more ice melts

Data centers, Greenlink, and your electricity bill

Supreme Court to hear case on Louisiana’s eroding coast

Big Oil knows that Trump’s Venezuela plans are delusional

Multiple Houston-area oil and gas facilities that have violated pollution laws are seeking permit renewals

One facility has emitted cancer-causing chemicals into waterways at levels up to 520% higher than legal limits.

Pennsylvania health advocates say Trump’s first 100 days in office have caused “100 harms” to local communities

“They're terrorizing these scientists because they want to keep them silent.”

Regulators are underestimating health impacts from air pollution: Study

"The reality is, we are not exposed to one chemical at a time.”

Two years into his term, has Gov. Shapiro kept his promises to regulate Pennsylvania’s fracking industry?

A new report assesses the administration’s progress and makes new recommendations

An open letter from EPA staff to the American public

“We cannot stand by and allow this to happen. We need to hold this administration accountable.”

New evidence links heavy metal pollution with wildfire retardants

“The chemical black box” that blankets wildfire-impacted areas is increasingly under scrutiny.