Rising Heat, Rising Risks: Protecting Farmworkers in a Changing Climate

About

Heat stress for outdoor workers lies at the intersection of climate change, labor rights, agriculture, and public health. Heat is the leading weather-related cause of death in the U.S., and farmworkers are especially vulnerable, being 35 times more likely to die from heat-related exposure than other workers. As temperatures globally rise, the number of unsafe working days for farmworkers due to heat is projected to double by the middle of the century. Without autonomy over their schedules or a federal OSHA standard regulating heat stress hazards in the workplace, farmworkers are often forced to labor through extreme temperatures or smoke from wildfires.

In this webinar, a panel of farmworker organizers, health experts, and policy advocates, will discuss the impacts of extreme heat on farmworkers and how we can advocate for a more just food system.

By the end of this webinar, attendees will:

• Understand how the climate crisis threatens farmworkers’ health and safety
• Gain insight into the exploitative environments faced by farmworkers
• Learn about the farmworker-led movements for  improved protections and working conditions
• Understand the federal and state policy landscape, including constraints and opportunities
• Recognize opportunities for action and advocacy

This webinar is open to all. We especially encourage you to attend if you are:

• A climate funder interested in the intersections between the climate crisis and agriculture
• A policymaker focused on climate, public health, labor or food systems
• A member of the public wondering how you can support farmworkers facing exploitative work environments

Speakers include:

• Davin Cardenas, Organizing Director, North Bay Jobs with Justice
• Anastasia Christman, Senior Policy Analyst, National Employment Law Project
• Elizabeth Mizelle, Assistant Professor, Baccalaureate Education, College of Nursing, East Carolina University
• Yesica Ramirez, General Coordinator, Farmworker Association of Florida
• Leticia Zavala, Co-Coordinator, El Futuro Es Nuestro

This webinar will be held in English and Spanish with interpretation for those who need it.

This webinar is co-sponsored by Center for Disaster Philanthropy, Funders for Regenerative Agriculture, Health and Environmental Funders Network, Grantmakers Concerned with Immigrants and Refugees, and Grantmakers In Health.