"As climate change worsens, the people delivering your food are increasingly exposed to heat, wildfire smoke and other dangerous weather events."
"A large swath of the United States is currently in the throes of a polar vortex, a weather phenomenon characterized by severe snowfall, strong winds and icy chill. For those who couldn’t stock up on food before the storm, hot meals or sweet treats are just a few clicks away thanks to a number of delivery apps such as DoorDash, Uber Eats and Grubhub.
But what does that mean for the people transporting food from point A to point B? Around the world, millions of food delivery workers regularly go up against the elements to maintain their income during severe weather, biking across town in ankle-deep floods after a hurricane or through a haze of smoke during wildfire season.
As climate change accelerates, one of the most prevalent weather risks delivery workers face is extreme heat. New research shows that food delivery orders surge as temperatures inch up, and provide a crucial way for vulnerable populations to avoid heat health threats like dehydration and heatstroke. The problem? A large portion of that heat exposure transfers directly from consumers to those making the deliveries—and many workers lack mitigation options or health insurance to protect them."
Kiley Price reports for Inside Climate News January 7, 2025.
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