Biden calls climate denial 'stupid', announces new heat protections for workers

President Joe Biden on Tuesday called it “really, really stupid” to deny the effects of climate change and said extreme heat and other weather disasters fueled by rising global temperatures have cost billions of dollars and thousands of American lives.

“Ignoring climate change is deadly, dangerous and irresponsible,” Biden said. He warned that temperatures have already broken records this summer and are expected to rise, and he proposed new protections for workers exposed to dangerous heat on the job.

Biden spoke at the District of Columbia’s emergency operations center, where he and Cabinet members were briefed on extreme weather developments across the country. His remarks were among his strongest yet on climate change, and he used the opportunity to denounce Republican lawmakers who oppose his policies.

“How the hell can you deny climate change?” Biden said. “They’ve got to live in a hole somewhere.”

“Anyone who willfully denies the impacts of climate change is condemning the American people to a dangerous future and is either really, really stupid or has some other motivation,” he said.

Biden stressed that extreme heat is the deadliest weather hazard in the United Statesresponsible for more deaths than floods, hurricanes and tornadoes combined. Last year, the hottest on record, resulted in 2,300 heat-related deaths in the United States, a figure likely underestimated because heat exacerbates other health problems, while emergency room visits for heat-related illnesses have increased.

The proposed rule from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, if implemented, would for the first time require employers to monitor workers and provide rest areas and water when the heat index reaches 80 degrees or higher. Employers would also be required to develop heat safety plans. The rule could apply to about 35 million Americans who work indoors and outdoors.

Biden also announced nearly $1 billion from the bipartisan infrastructure bill to help communities build resilience to weather-related disasters.