Back

Director's Picks

Heat Is Claiming Mexico’s Young People

Summary

In Mexico, extreme heat disproportionately affects young people, with workers aged 18–34 and children under 5 facing the highest heat-related mortality rates. A study analyzing 73,000 heat-related deaths from 1998 to 2019 revealed that 75% occurred in those under 35. Factors include outdoor labor in rising temperatures and children’s vulnerability to overheating and related diseases. Wet-bulb temperatures—measuring heat and humidity—are nearing life-threatening levels, complicating cooling mechanisms. Efforts like Nuevo León’s hydration stations reduced heatstroke deaths, but more worker protections are essential. Without intervention, heat-related deaths among young people could rise by 32% by 2100, highlighting the urgent need for climate adaptation and equitable health strategies.

discover more

August 29, 2025
Environmental Justice
Environmental Justice

Dr. Robert Bullard of Texas Southern University notes that much of the recovery money after the storm was diverted from housing to coastal development, with casinos and resorts...

August 11, 2025
Environmental Justice
Environmental Justice

The Sierra Club fired Executive Director Ben Jealous after no-confidence votes, budget cuts, layoffs, and misconduct concerns. Union leaders welcomed his departure...

August 11, 2025
Environmental
Environmental

U.S. clean hydrogen projects are collapsing amid shortened tax credit deadlines, rising energy costs, and policy shifts, leaving most proposals ineligible and investors...

August 5, 2025
Climate Justice
Climate Justice

A coalition of nonprofits, tribes, and local governments filed a class-action lawsuit against the EPA, demanding reinstatement of a $3bn climate justice grant program halted...

August 3, 2025
Climate
Climate

The Trump administration’s move to revoke the EPA's authority to regulate greenhouse gases marks a major policy reversal, undermining decades of climate protections...

July 25, 2025
Climate
Climate

Ben Jealous was placed on leave by the Sierra Club amid widespread internal dissent over his leadership, with staff citing failed vision, contentious layoffs...

July 24, 2025
Climate Justice
Climate Justice

The UN's International Court of Justice declared climate change a human rights issue, advising that nations must act or risk reparations, influencing global litigation...

July 23, 2025
Education
Education

The Trump administration has targeted over 4,000 federal grants worth up to $8.2 billion for termination across 600+ U.S. colleges, disproportionately affecting public...

July 23, 2025
Environmental Justice
Environmental Justice

The USDA under the Trump administration has eliminated the term “socially disadvantaged” from its policies, ending race- and gender-based support programs for minority farmers...

July 17, 2025
Legal & Legislation
Legal & Legislation

President Trump's elimination of federal DEI programs has halted essential USDA funding to East Texas Black farmers, further endangering their livelihoods amid decades...

July 11, 2025
Environmental Justice
Environmental Justice

Residents in the Shiloh Community have fought for years to remedy excessive storm water runoff caused by an elevated highway. Now they’re suing.

July 9, 2025
Climate
Climate

Amid devastating Texas floods, FEMA’s delayed response raises concerns as President Trump pushes to dismantle the agency, shifting disaster management costs...

July 2, 2025
Environmental Justice
Environmental Justice

The Supreme Court let stand a $14.25 million penalty against ExxonMobil for over 16,000 Clean Air Act violations at its Baytown plant...

July 1, 2025
Climate
Climate

Recent Supreme Court rulings have weakened federal agency powers and funding, enabling the Trump administration to bypass environmental oversight...

June 27, 2025
Climate Change
Climate Change

Disputes over climate finance and fossil fuel phaseout stalled progress at the Bonn climate summit, threatening preparations for COP30 in Brazil.