A staggering new report by the International Labour Organization (ILO) reveals a disturbing truth: climate change is putting the health of millions of workers at risk.

The report, titled "Ensuring safety and health at work in a changing climate," paints a grim picture. Over 2.4 billion workers, a staggering 70% of the global workforce, are likely to face dangerous heat exposure during their jobs. This number has risen sharply since 2000, highlighting the worsening impact of climate change.

The consequences are dire. The ILO estimates that heatstroke, exhaustion, and other heat-related illnesses claim nearly 19,000 lives and cause millions to suffer chronic health problems annually. But heat is just one piece of the puzzle.

The report describes a "cocktail of hazards" created by climate change. This includes increased exposure to harmful ultraviolet radiation, worsening air pollution, and a rise in vector-borne diseases like malaria and dengue fever. These factors contribute to a range of health problems, including cancer, heart disease, respiratory illnesses, and even mental health issues.

"It's clear that climate change is creating significant additional health hazards for workers," said Manal Azzi, OSH Team Lead at the ILO. "We must act now. Occupational safety and health considerations need to be a central part of our response to climate change."

The report calls for a global effort to protect workers. This includes revising safety regulations, developing heat mitigation strategies in workplaces, and integrating worker health into climate change policies.

With millions of lives potentially at stake, the ILO's message is clear: we cannot afford to ignore the health risks posed by climate change to our workforce.