Readers respond: Mitigating climate change with federal laws - OregonLive
Readers respond: Mitigating climate change with federal laws - oregonlive.com
Our early July heat wave was oppressive; it was also, sadly, fatal for at least 17 Oregonians, (“ 17 deaths in Oregon now considered heat-related,” July 15). Although the most severe heat is over, temperatures remain hotter than historical averages and continue to disrupt the health of Oregonians.
As a physician, I know high temperatures directly cause heat exhaustion and heat stroke and increase the risk of heart attacks, strokes, kidney disease and mental health disorders. Heat waves like this one are increasingly common due to human-caused climate change and will continue to adversely affect our health.
Related Knowledge Center: Climate legislation
The federal government and states are in the process of implementing two laws — the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and the Inflation Reduction Act — an investment of more than a trillion dollars to address climate change.