Imagine having to make your living in an environment where our plants can't survive, in a condition where people don't want to leave their homes, where heat stroke is very likely to happen to you or one of your coworkers. That is the reality for many people who work outside for a living. I'm a full-time canvasser with an environmental organization called Environment America. On June 23rd, 2025, there was a historic heatwave that brought a vast area of the eastern United States upwards of 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Unfortunately, at the last door I knocked on, I got dizzy and I began to slur my speech. I was suffering from heat stroke.
Outdoor workers are at the greatest risk of heat-related deaths or illnesses, given that they spend the majority of their workday outside. Being directly exposed to extreme heat leaves them more susceptible to heat stroke, dehydration, and exhaustion. At the same time, being inside can reduce the number of hours they work, and as the weather events get more extreme, it can greatly impact the income of an outdoor worker.
According to the World Health Organization, 37% of heat-related deaths are attributed to human-induced climate change. Heat-related deaths among those over 65 have risen by 70% in two decades. The elderly are disproportionately impacted by the effects of climate change due to the fact that they are more likely to have chronic conditions, making them more likely to worsen during the heat.
Local solutions include establishing central locations for cooling, backup power, and resources in climate emergencies. For example, in Washington D.C., every public library becomes a cooling center throughout heat waves. As for outdoor workers, the best thing to do is to monitor your health and take frequent breaks, consume adequate fluids, and work shorter shifts.