Biden announces measures against climate change and natural disasters

Amid an unprecedented heatwave sweeping several regions of the United States and in the face of the growing threat of natural disasters, President Joe Biden has announced a package of measures aimed at prevention and resilience against these extreme weather events. This announcement comes at a crucial time, with increasingly devastating meteorological phenomena hitting the country, from floods to wildfires, endangering the lives of many citizens and wreaking havoc on various communities. One of the most prominent actions in these measures is the implementation of protocols to protect workers from excessive heat in their workplaces. Through a regulation from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), around 36 million workers are to be safeguarded by establishing requirements to identify heat hazards, develop emergency plans, provide training, and ensure safe work practices such as breaks, access to shade, and water. Additionally, nearly US$1 billion in funding was allocated to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for the implementation of 656 projects nationwide, with the goal of helping communities protect themselves against natural disasters and climate hazards. These projects include resilience improvements in critical infrastructures, such as stormwater pumping stations, drainage channels, and shaded bus stops in vulnerable areas. Furthermore, the White House announced the development of a report by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that will highlight the impacts of climate change on the health of individuals, society, and ecosystems in the United States. This report aims to raise awareness about the urgency of addressing climate change and taking measures to mitigate its effects, ranging from heatwaves to wildfires, phenomena that have become more frequent and intense due to the climate crisis. In this context, President Biden did not hesitate to point fingers at Republicans in Congress, accusing them of denying the existence of climate change and jeopardizing the health and safety of the population. At a time when the evidence of the impacts of climate change is undeniable, Biden urges the opposition to take concrete actions to address this environmental crisis that affects not only the country but the planet as a whole. It is important to note that in the year 2023, the United States faced a record of 28 extreme climate and weather disasters, causing over US$90 billion in total damages. These extreme events not only pose a direct threat to the lives and livelihoods of citizens but also have significant economic repercussions, negatively impacting society and the country's stability. In this regard, the call for a Summit on Extreme Heat at the end of the year with state, local, and territorial leaders reflects the Biden administration's commitment to comprehensively address the challenges posed by climate change and natural disasters. Urgent and effective measures must be taken to protect the population, strengthen community resilience, and preserve the environment for future generations.