WASHINGTON, D.C. (April 28, 2016) – After the release of a new report from the United Nations Development Programme—Climate Change and Labour: Impacts of Heat in the Workplace—that showed the dangers climate change poses to workers, the BlueGreen Alliance released the following statement from Executive Director Kim Glas:

“Climate change is already creating real problems in the U.S. and around the world. This new report only further illustrates how a warming planet impacts the health and safety of workers. The increased heat in workplaces, particularly jobs in the agriculture and manufacturing sectors, will also hurt our economy by decreasing the productivity of workers.

“It is only fitting that this report was released on Workers Memorial Day. Each year, millions of Americans are killed or injured on the job and climate change and the extreme heat it will bring only exacerbates an already serious problem.

“Action needs to be taken now and in the future to protect workers. These actions could include more access to drinking water in workplaces, more frequent rest breaks, improved cooling systems, and other efforts that ensure workers are safeguarded from the heat. And, they should be part of a strategy to address climate change as a whole.”