The Climate Crisis and Rising Health Challenges for Workers
Systemic Inequities in Climate Vulnerability
December 3rd is the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, dedicated to promoting the rights and well-being of people with disabilities. This year, as we reflect on the intersecting challenges facing disabled workers, the climate crisis emerges as an urgent concern that intensifies existing inequities and creates new risks requiring immediate attention.
Disabled people navigate numerous barriers in the workplace, from inaccessible infrastructure to limited accommodations; climate change has added new layers of complexity, including heightened risks during climate-related disasters and increased vulnerability to unsafe working conditions. Globally, people with disabilities experience mortality rates up to four times higher in natural disasters than people without disabilities. In a 2023 UN Office of Disaster Risk Reduction global online survey, only 8% of disabled people reported that local disaster risk reduction plans addressed their specific needs, and 86% reported they had not participated in community-level disaster decision-making and planning.
Alarmingly, the climate crisis is creating even more disabled workers. Rising temperatures, biological hazards and toxins, and extreme weather events are causing long-term health issues, such as respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, heat-related illnesses, and trauma-related conditions. Non-disabled workers in high-risk jobs are increasingly exposed to these hazards, leading to a growing population of climate-affected disabled workers.
The United Nations (UN) says 2.4 billion people are currently being endangered by increasingly severe heat waves primarily driven by a fossil-fuel-charged, human-induced climate crisis.
The World Economic Forum predicts heat waves will claim 1.6 million lives by 2050.
In 2021, an estimate found that the direct health costs of climate change had already far exceeded $800 billion annually in the U.S.
This reality has far-reaching implications, impacting workers’ ability to earn a secure living, access healthcare, and fully participate in the workforce. People of color, noncitizens, and adults with lower education levels and incomes are disproportionately employed in jobs that expose them to higher climate-related health risks. Additionally, many workers in these high-risk occupations lack health insurance, which creates significant barriers to accessing necessary healthcare. This intersection of occupational exposure and inadequate health coverage highlights systemic inequities in climate vulnerability that are exacerbated by climate-induced disruptions that often result in the deprioritization of workplace accommodations for disabled people. For instance, emergency evacuations during natural disasters may not consider mobility or sensory needs, leaving disabled workers at greater risk, and power outages limit access to assistive technologies vital for job function.
As we face the dual challenges of disability rights and climate justice, solutions must address both crises simultaneously. This includes transportation, communication, evacuation, and relocation options that meet diverse needs.
Investing in accessibility, equitable disaster responses, and proactive safety policies is a matter of long-term climate resilience and workers’ rights.
Support Inclusive Employment Opportunities in Green Jobs
As climate disasters disrupt economies, disabled workers—already more likely to experience unemployment or underemployment—face increased job insecurity. The green transition offers a critical chance to create job opportunities that are accessible and inclusive for everyone, including marginalized groups.
Focusing on inclusivity in emerging green jobs and supporting affected workers can help promote a just and equitable transition.
“Incorporating sustainability and inclusion into the global value chain is an ethical and social responsibility and a strategy for enhancing long-term competitiveness, fostering innovation, and building resilience in an ever-evolving global market. ”
So, what can we do right now?
We can advocate for inclusive climate policies that protect all workers and seek out and support organizations at the intersection of climate, labor, and disability justice. We can also center the voices and needs of the most vulnerable workers to ensure sustainable and inclusive solutions and adaptation protocols.
