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Credit: Brian McGowan on UnsplashLast summer, Florida ranked second in the United States for 911 calls related to heat exhaustion, heat stroke, and severe sunburn over a two-week period ending May 24, according to data. More than half of the counties in the state reported higher-than-average EMS calls for heat-related emergencies from late April to May.
Health officials are concerned as extreme temperatures continue to endanger residents, workers, and visitors, with Florida’s heat waves creating escalating risks across communities. Now, as the country reenters a Republican presidency, concerns grow for the long-lasting effects of climate change.
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Heat-Related Emergencies on the Rise
The increase in heat-related emergency calls highlights Florida’s vulnerability to extreme temperatures, which are becoming more frequent and intense. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), heat waves kill more people in the United States each year than any other weather hazard, surpassing deaths from hurricanes, tornadoes, and floods combined.
Last summer, nearly three-quarters of heat-related deaths occurred in five southern states, including Florida, where 84 people lost their lives due to extreme heat.
Many health experts and scientists believe that climate change is a significant factor behind the intensifying heat waves. Rising global temperatures have created longer, more severe summers, straining public health systems and emergency responders.
These heat waves are impacting even those states accustomed to high temperatures, such as Florida, where residents, businesses, and infrastructure are feeling the effects.
Calls for Stronger Protections for Outdoor Workers
The CDC has been encouraging local governments to establish stronger public health protections in response to these dangerous conditions, particularly in areas with a high concentration of outdoor workers or limited access to nearby hospitals. Measures could include temporary heat breaks, shaded rest areas, and adjusted work hours during peak heat.
However, earlier this year, Florida lawmakers restricted local governing agencies from enacting heat protections specifically for workers, creating a gap in worker safety policies. As temperatures rise, this lack of regulatory support has left outdoor workers—such as construction crews, landscapers, and agricultural workers—at heightened risk.
Advocates argue that proactive measures are needed to protect those most exposed to extreme temperatures, especially with the increased frequency of heat-related illnesses and fatalities. Now, the recent 2024 Presidential Election has heightened these fears.
Potential Climate Policy Shifts Under Trump’s Presidency
With Donald Trump set to assume the presidency again, some worry that federal climate action may slow or even reverse, which could have significant implications for states like Florida already struggling with extreme heat.
Trump’s previous presidency saw a rollback of environmental regulations and a withdrawal from the Paris Agreement, a global accord focused on reducing greenhouse gas emissions to combat climate change.
Many environmentalists and health advocates fear that, under Trump’s leadership, policies aimed at curbing emissions and investing in climate resilience may face setbacks. These concerns have heightened in communities vulnerable to heat-related health crises, where climate change is viewed as a key contributor to the increase in extreme weather and rising temperatures.
As Florida’s communities continue to grapple with record heat and limited worker protections, advocates are calling for greater focus on climate resilience and public health initiatives. The rising toll of heat emergencies underscores the urgency of policies that can protect vulnerable populations, both now and as climate-related risks continue to grow.