theglobalsun – The climate crisis exposed the average person to six additional weeks of dangerously hot days in 2024. Amplifying the devastating effects of heatwaves globally. According to an analysis by World Weather Attribution (WWA) and Climate Central. Human-caused global heating significantly worsened the frequency and intensity of high-risk temperatures.
Caribbean and Pacific island nations experienced the most severe impacts, with residents enduring an estimated 150 extra days of dangerous heat—nearly half the year. These prolonged periods of extreme temperatures jeopardized health, livelihoods, and ecosystems, exacerbating the vulnerabilities of these communities.
Globally, almost half of all countries faced at least two months of hazardous heat conditions. Even regions with milder impacts, such as the UK, US, and Australia, saw three additional weeks of elevated temperatures due to carbon emissions from fossil fuel burning. These findings underscore the pervasive and far-reaching effects of global warming, regardless of geography.
Experts warn that the intensifying heatwaves have dire consequences for public health, agriculture, and infrastructure. Prolonged exposure to extreme heat increases the risk of heat-related illnesses and fatalities. Particularly for vulnerable populations, including the elderly and outdoor workers.
The data highlights the urgent need for global action to mitigate carbon emissions and invest in adaptation strategies to protect communities from the escalating impacts of climate change. International cooperation and decisive policies will be critical in limiting future warming and reducing the risks posed by extreme weather events.
Scientists Urge End to Fossil Fuels as Climate Crisis Drives Deadly Heatwaves and Record-Breaking Heat in 2024
Heatwaves, the deadliest consequence of the climate crisis, intensified in 2024. Scientists declaring this year as likely the hottest on record. Record-high carbon emissions have fueled these extreme events. Prompting urgent calls from researchers to end the burning of coal, oil, and gas to prevent further catastrophic impacts.
Dr. Friederike Otto, co-lead of World Weather Attribution (WWA) and a researcher at Imperial College London. He highlighted the devastation caused by fossil fuel-driven warming. “The floods in Spain, hurricanes in the US, drought in the Amazon, and floods across Africa are just a few examples,” Otto said. “The impacts of fossil fuel warming have never been clearer or more devastating than in 2024.”
The researchers emphasized that addressing the climate crisis requires immediate cessation of fossil fuel use. Without decisive action, the impacts of heatwaves and other extreme weather events will worsen, leading to unrelenting human suffering.
Joseph Giguere of Climate Central warned that dangerously high temperatures are becoming increasingly common worldwide. “Almost everywhere on Earth, daily temperatures hot enough to threaten human health have become more frequent because of climate change,” he said.
Scientists also stressed the importance of better heatwave monitoring. Current death tolls from heatwaves are grossly underestimated due to insufficient reporting. Researchers estimate that uncounted millions may have died from human-caused global heating over recent decades. To address this, they called for real-time tracking of heatwave fatalities to fully understand the crisis’s scale.
Read More : Europe’s Hidden Ski Gems: Budget-Friendly Adventures Await
Added Dangerous Heat Days Globally and Supercharged Hurricanes
A new analysis revealed that the climate crisis significantly increased the number of “dangerous heat days” globally in 2024. Researchers identified these days by calculating threshold temperatures for the hottest 10% of days from 1991 to 2020, which are known to pose serious health risks. They then compared 2024 data with a scenario without global heating, showing the devastating impact of climate change.
The study found that the average person experienced an additional 41 dangerous heat days in 2024, exposing millions to prolonged and severe heat conditions. Countries like Indonesia, home to 280 million people, and Singapore experienced 122 extra days of extreme heat, while Saudi Arabia endured 70 additional hot days. Brazil and Bangladesh faced 50 extra days, and Spain, Norway, and the Balkan states saw an additional month of high-risk temperatures.
The crisis peaked on July 21, one of the hottest days of the year, when five billion people—two-thirds of the global population—experienced temperatures made at least twice as likely by global warming.
The Middle East saw particularly severe consequences, with 1,300 hajj pilgrims dying in Saudi Arabia due to extreme heat. Meanwhile, Central America and parts of Southeast Asia also reported unprecedented levels of prolonged dangerous heat.
Hurricanes in 2024 were equally affected by climate change. Kristina Dahl, vice-president for science at Climate Central, stated that every Atlantic hurricane this year was stronger due to global warming. Hurricanes Beryl and Milton, both category five storms, would not have reached such intensity without climate change’s influence.
