Extreme heat is making campaign rallies more dangerous

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🗞️ Driving the news: Extreme heat is increasingly posing health risks at political campaign rallies, with at least 78 attendees of former President Donald Trump's events being hospitalized for heat-related illnesses in the past three months
• A similar incident occurred at a rally for Vice President Kamala Harris in Wisconsin
These events highlight the challenges of holding outdoor rallies amid rising global temperatures

🔭 The context: Both Trump and Harris have taken measures to address heat risks at their events, such as providing water, cooling tents, and medical support
• Despite these precautions, the impact of climate change is becoming a critical factor in campaign logistics, especially in hot regions like the Sun Belt and the Midwest
• The contrasting views on climate policy between the two campaigns further underscore the politicization of this issue

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: Climate change is making heatwaves more frequent and severe, directly affecting public events and posing health risks
• The increase in heat-related illnesses at rallies underscores the broader need for stronger heat protections and climate action to safeguard public health

⏭️ What's next: Both the Trump and Harris campaigns continue to hold rallies in hot areas, raising concerns about future heat-related incidents
• The Biden administration's proposed Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) rules on heat protections could offer some relief, though these might face opposition and legal challenges if Trump were to win a second term

💬 One quote: “In this warming world, heat is only going to continue to cause more issues for outdoor events, especially in the summer season,” said Shel Winkley, weather and climate engagement specialist at Climate Central

📈 One stat: At a Trump rally in Glendale, Arizona, temperatures reached 104 degrees, and 26 attendees were hospitalized for heat-related illnesses

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