The New York Times continues its coverage of heat waves around the world.
An article by Soomini Sengupta ("Well Beyond the U.S., Heat and Climate Extremes Hit Billions"), reports on an estimate by the World Metreological Organization that 489,000 people have died of extreme heat between 2000 and 2019, making it "the deadliest of all extreme weather events." You can find that WMO report here:
https://library.wmo.int/records/item/68500-2023-state-of-climate-services-health
Hiroko Tabuchi ("Neighborhood Hot Spots Might be Serving Up Toxic Aromas") investigates how air pollution increases as temperatures rise. The article points out that ozone and formaldehyde are a particular concern.
Hilary Howard ("Panting New Yorkers Adjust to Early Arrival of Summer's Dog Days") points out that extreme heat is striking both earlier and later in year, driving adaptations by citizens and local government services.
In an editorial, Terri Gerstein, the Director of the Labor Initiative at New York University ("Workers Shouldn't Have to Risk Their Lives in Heat Waves") points to the lack of legal protections for workers subject to extreme heat. The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Act does have a "general duty clause" about providing a safe workplace, but it does not provide specific guidance about extreme heat. Gerstein suggests that states and cities can play a greater role in ensuring that employers take measures to protect workers during heat waves. Unions, Gerstein notes, have also become much more focused on this topic.