Results found: 48
of 4
This year set to be first to breach 1.5C global warming limit
It is now "virtually certain" that 2024 - a year punctuated by intense heatwaves and deadly storms - will be the world's warmest on record, according to projections by the European climate service.
2024 State of Climate Services
As climate change impacts intensify, the need for climate services to support mitigation, adaptation and increase resilience has never been higher. In the past five years, there has been progress in provision of this climate information for decision-making, but big gaps remain and investment lags far behind need.
Over 2 billion in cities will be exposed to 0.5ºC rise by 2040
More than two billion people currently living in cities could be exposed to an additional temperature increase of at least 0.5 degrees Celsius by 2040, a new UN report published on Tuesday finds.
MSF and the Lancet Countdown joint brief 2024
This 2024 joint brief draws on evidence from indicators in the 2024 report of the Lancet Countdown on Health and Climate Change to present examples of how climate change and environmental degradation are making provision of assistance more difficult by amplifying health and humanitarian needs and by further complicating interventions.
2024 Winner of the John C Harsanyi Medal for Innovation
The University of Sydney's John C Harsanyi Medal for Innovation honors forward-thinking leaders who exceed academic expectations to shape the future. Eligible candidates must have completed their degree requirements or graduated in 2024, achieved a minimum credit average, and demonstrated leadership and innovation in fields such as technology, design, engineering, business, research, professional pursuits, or sustainability. The 2024 recipient, Dr. Grant Lynch, was recognized for his contributions to heat and health policy and climate change research.
New policy from health organization addresses concerning stressor on human health: ‘Must take immediate and decisive action’
Member states of the Pan American Health Organization recently approved a new policy that addresses health, our changing climate, and equity.
Ministers from G20 countries discuss Extreme Heat in the world at the final meeting of the Disaster Risk Reduction WG
The side event is an undertaking in response to the UN Secretary-General's Call to Action on Extreme Heat, which was also discussed in the Employment WG. Data from the World Health Organization and the World Meteorological Organization estimate that scaling up health warning systems against heat in 57 countries could save nearly 100,000 lives a year.
G20 Health approves ministerial declaration in support of global health and international cooperation
The document highlights the need for resilient health systems, equity in access, and the importance of addressing long-standing inequalities. Brazilian Minister Nísia Trindade stressed that collaboration between countries is essential to deal with global and local health challenges, including communicable diseases and climate change. The meeting also celebrated the coordination of the Unified Health System (SUS) and social participation in Brasil.
Heat and Health at COP29
The COP29 Azerbaijan Presidency is working closely with WHO and other partners on a number of health-related initiatives to reduce the impacts of climate change on human health. Watch this space to find health-relevant news, events and resources for the 2024 UN Climate Change Conference
Health at COP29 Overview Page
COP29 will aim to continue lifting the political profile of the climate-health nexus, and mainstreaming health in the global climate change agenda.
Southeast Asia Heat Health Hub
Our newly launched regional hub page introduces our Network’s efforts and team members in Southeast Asia, hosted by the Heat Resilience & Performance Centre (HRPC) at the National University of Singapore’s Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine.
The final document of the G20 Finance and Health ministerial meeting highlights fighting inequalities and preparing for future pandemics
At a meeting in Rio de Janeiro, G20 ministers call for investments in health to deal with crises. Brazil is leading efforts on social inclusion, and Brazilian ministers Nísia Trindade (Health) and Fernando Haddad (Finance) are reinforcing global sustainability.
The 2024 Global Report of the Lancet Countdown
The latest Lancet Countdown report reveals the health threats of climate change have reached record-breaking levels.
UK exposed to dangerous extreme heat as climate change health threats reach record-breaking levels
People in the UK are increasingly exposed to dangerous extreme heat, as global health threats of climate change reach record-breaking levels, experts warn. A report by the Lancet Countdown on Health and Climate Change found there is a heightened risk of heat-related illness and mortality in the UK, with an extra nine deaths per 100,000 people on average in 2013-2022.
More than half a trillion hours of work lost in 2023 due to ‘heat exposure’
In 2023, global heat exposure caused a record 512 billion work hours lost, heavily impacting low-income countries.
How a Proposed Federal Heat Rule Might Have Saved These Workers’ Lives
Explore how proposed federal heat regulations could prevent worker deaths by mandating protections against extreme heat exposure.
Global Warming Responsible For Majority Of Heat-Related Deaths In Europe: Study
A study by the Barcelona Institute for Global Health finds over half of Europe’s heat-related deaths in 2022 were due to human-caused climate change, totaling more than 38,000 excess fatalities. Vulnerable groups, particularly the elderly, were most affected. Read on to know more.
Climate crisis, cities, and health
A Comprehensive Assessment of Mortality and Disability" provides an in-depth analysis of global health trends, highlighting significant shifts in mortality and disability patterns over recent years. The study emphasizes the growing impact of non-communicable diseases and underscores the need for targeted public health interventions to address these emerging challenges.
World on track to get 1.8 degrees warmer without climate action, UN warns
The world is on track to get 1.8 degrees warmer than it is now, but could trim half a degree of that projected future heating if countries do everything they promise to fight climate change, a United Nations report said on Thursday.
Record-Breaking Temperatures Mask a Subtler Threat: Chronic Heat
Explore how sustained high temperatures, even without breaking records, pose significant health risks and require adaptive measures.
In the Deadly Heat, Iraq’s Hospitals Have Become the Ground-Zero Battlefield in the Country’s Climate Crisis
In Iraq, where the confluence of war, economic turmoil and political instability has ravaged the health sector for decades, climate change is the newest and most formidable enemy.
Greater investment in climate services for health needed for escalating challenges
Amid calls for greater investment in climate services for health to meet escalating needs, WMO has welcomed support from the philanthropic sector to strengthen coordinated action and programmes.
New U of A Initiative Leads the Way to Combat Extreme Heat
The new initiative within the Arizona Institute for Resilience will unite and expand existing heat-related programs at the University of Arizona, positioning the university as a global leader in heat resilience through research, education, and outreach.
Wellcome announces US$25mn for climate and health as part of US$50mn commitment to World Health Organisation
A further US$6mn will support the World Meteorological Organisation to strengthen provision of climate information for health decision making.
The climate of the future- can we handle the heat?
University of Sydney's Heat and Health Research Centre collaborates with experts to enhance projections of future heat-health impacts.
Hot and bothered: Can S’pore’s outdoor workers beat the rising heat?
Across the world, hundreds of millions of outdoor workers are bearing the brunt of rising heat. This includes people who farm the land and maintain gardens, work in construction or at ports or deliver food no matter what the weather. Even those who spend some of their time outdoors, such as security guards, are at risk.
Chennai Air Show tragedy: Dehydration, suffocation and heatstroke – what led to death of 5 spectators?
Air show tragedy: The trouble started when the massive crowd tried to leave Chennai’s iconic Marina Beach venue all at once, causing a stampede-like situation.
Too Hot For Beach Visit? Dubai’s Floodlit Beaches Are A Hit At Night
Roasted by summer temperatures too hot for the beach, Dubai has turned to an innovative solution: opening them at night, complete with floodlights and lifeguards carrying night-vision binoculars.
Project to manage heat in homes puts power in hands of users
Griffith University's Ethos Project is advancing its heat-detection system for senior Australians with the launch of Phase 2. This phase introduces a user-friendly mobile app, empowering participants aged 65 and over to monitor home temperatures and humidity in real-time.
Feeling the Extreme Heat
In New Orleans’ urban heat islands, too few green spaces, poverty, and inadequate cooling options make residents vulnerable to heat’s health risks.
Cities Are on the Front Line of the ‘Climate-Health Crisis.’ A New Report Provides a Framework for Tackling Its Effects
The Rockefeller Foundation’s recent report, produced in collaboration with Yale University and the Resilient Cities Network, reveals that while nearly 70% of city leaders acknowledge these threats, fewer than a third have integrated climate and health into their resilience plans. The report's findings emphasize the urgent need for better preparedness, particularly in urban areas. To support these efforts, the Rockefeller Foundation is committing $1 million to the C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group to help cities implement a comprehensive climate and health strategy.
NYU Langone Health Forms New Partnership to Minimize Deaths from Extreme Heat Amid Rising Global Temperatures
Project HEATWAVE, the first such project of its kind, brings together researchers from NYU Langone and elsewhere to research and reduce mortality caused by excess heat.
Fall is here, but experts say communities need a heat plan
From Heat Action plans to determining physiological body changes, experts explain how we can become more aware of how to react in extreme heat conditions.
Shanshan study spotlights science linking warming to extreme weather
Friederike Otto, a senior lecturer at Imperial College London’s Grantham Institute — Climate Change and the Environment who was not directly involved in the Typhoon Shanshan study by her colleagues, is a key person behind this drastic change in the climate science community.
Climate and health data must be integrated
The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the World Health Organization (WHO) are calling for better integration of climate and health data to enhance early warning systems and improve public health responses to climate-related risks.
Extreme Heat Means More Wildfires. It’s Taking a Toll on Firefighters.
As three large fires continue to burn in Southern California, firefighters across the country are facing another unforgiving wildfire season.
Japan’s schools battle to keep kids cool, with or without AC
With extreme heat affecting both health and study, schools are racing to plug AC gaps while experimenting with creative, cheaper solutions.
Readout of First-Ever White House Summit on Extreme Heat
The first-ever White House Summit on Extreme Heat, held on September 14, 2024, brought together federal, state, and local leaders to address the increasing threat of extreme heat.
Heat wave in Southern California and the Southwest in early September 2024
Close on the heels of a record- or near record-hot summer for parts of Southern California and the U.S. Southwest, the first week of September 2024 brought another round of extreme heat to much of the region.
As Phoenix works to deal with record heat, this expert sees other cities using similar approaches
Phoenix continues to set heat records this summer, but other communities have also seen an increase in the impacts of extreme heat. And Sara Meerow, an associate professor in the School of Geographical Sciences and Urban Planning at ASU and co-leader the new National Center for Heat Resilient Communities, says she’s seen a sea change over the last five years or so. Meerow says there's been dramatic increase in the level of interest across all kinds of communities worldwide in taking this issue on, including in some places that haven’t really had to worry too much about heat as a threat before. She joined The Show to talk about this.
School districts race to invest in cooling solutions as classrooms and playgrounds heat up
Schoolyard Heat Risks rise with asphalt and poor shade, increasing heat illness in kids. Climate change heightens these dangers.
Surviving a Future of Extreme Heat
Although nearly all heat-related deaths are preventable, heatwaves kill thousands of people worldwide every year. At this very moment, an extreme heatwave in India and Pakistan, affecting about one billion people, is “testing the limits of human survivability,” warns Chandni Singh, a lead author for the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s Sixth Assessment Report. In April, the average maximum temperature for northwest and central India was the highest in 122 years.
Is extreme heat an extreme disaster?
Across the country, extreme heat kills more Americans than hurricanes, floods and tornadoes combined.
An unlikely line of defense during heat waves: Food bank
Food pantries and meals-on-wheels organizations are taking on a new role during climate emergencies.
Cooler Rooms Might be the Solution to the Heat and Worker Health Crisis
Summer is ending for many, but extreme heat is a year-round worry for a myriad of workers. Portabull Storage's new cooler rooms give them an energy-efficient place to cool down, and the rooms can be transported to even the most remote work environments.
Japan’s record heat in July ‘almost impossible’ without climate change
Japan's extreme July heat and severe floods were exacerbated by climate change, with temperatures and rainfall increasing significantly.
Towards a weather-ready and climate resilient ASEAN
In the face of growing challenges from climate change, extreme weather and environmental hazards in Southeast Asia, a regional conference is exploring how to strengthen adaptation and resilience.
Google unveils new heat resilience tool for cities
Google has launched a new heat resilience tool designed to help cities combat the effects of extreme temperatures. This innovative technology utilizes Google's extensive data and mapping capabilities to identify urban heat islands and areas most vulnerable to heat-related health risks. The tool provides city planners and policymakers with valuable insights to inform climate adaptation strategies, such as where to plant trees, install cooling centers, or modify building codes. By leveraging artificial intelligence and satellite imagery, Google's heat resilience tool offers a powerful resource for cities looking to enhance their resilience to climate change and protect residents from dangerous heat waves.
A world-first study challenges our understanding of how humans cope with extreme heat
Researchers at the University of Sydney are conducting a groundbreaking study to determine the exact point when heat becomes deadly for humans. The study aims to redefine survivability thresholds, crucial in a warming world where heatwaves are becoming more frequent. Findings suggest that dangerous heat conditions may occur at lower temperatures than previously thought, raising concerns for vulnerable populations globally.
Clocking off: Japan’s hotter summers put limit on outdoor work
Climate change is forcing businesses to sacrifice productivity for safety in industries ranging from construction to transportation
OSHA’s Heat Rulemaking Now Open for Public Comment
The public can now comment on the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's (OSHA) Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on Heat Injury and Illness Prevention in Outdoor and Indoor Work Settings until December 30th. Contributions will assist OSHA in creating a final rule that best serves employers' interests, protects workers as much as possible, and is supported by the most up-to-date research.
Alarm as Australia records ‘gobsmacking’ hot August temperatures
Heat building up in country’s centre and driving south-east is causing ‘really unusual’ heatwave that is breaking winter records
Santé et chaleur, la sueur froide
Que se passe-t-il dans notre corps lorsqu’il fait très chaud ? Quels sont les mécanismes physiologiques mis en place par l’organisme pour faire face aux températures extrêmes ? Jusqu’à quel point peut-on s’adapter ?
Call for event proposals at the COP29 Health Pavilion
COP29 Health Pavilion will convene the global health and climate community and key stakeholders across various sectors to ensure health and equity are placed at the centre of climate negotiations and help drive bold climate action. It will offer a rich 2-week programme of events showcasing evidence, initiatives and solutions to maximize the health benefits of tackling climate change across regions, sectors and communities. More information on the key design principles and selection criteria can be found here.
Extreme Temperature Collection 2024
With rising extreme heat events and persistent cold-related health issues, there's an urgent need for research on the health impacts of extreme temperatures. A new EHP collection highlights recent studies using advanced methods to understand these impacts and inform policy for better environmental and health outcomes.
Extreme heat linked to diabetes in pregnant women, thyroid disorders: Study
There are links between extreme temperatures and gestational diabetes in pregnant women, as well as between heat and thyroid disorders.This is according to studies carried out in recent years that have examined the effect heat has on hormones – the chemicals that coordinate and affect hundreds of bodily processes. Hormones, from insulin to oestrogen, play a role in nearly all biological functions, including blood sugar control and fertility, and all key life stages such as puberty and pregnancy.
A toilet cleaner died after toiling in 45 deg C. He’s among India’s poor, vulnerable to the heat
May and June 2024 were the hottest in seven decades in Delhi and other parts of India. The poorest and most vulnerable segments of society were the most affected by the heat. They included the homeless and migrant workers, particularly those working in construction and the gig economy, or as autorickshaw drivers. In Delhi in 2024, the temperature peaked at 49.1 deg C on May 29. This came after the hottest December and February since 1901. And heatwaves are lasting longer, said scientists and activists.
New Report Sets a Course for Efficient, Climate-Friendly Cooling for All
The Clean Cooling Collaborative (CCC) and our funding and implementing partners have been leading the battle against extreme heat by reducing the sector’s GHG emissions and expanding access to life-saving cooling. Our new Mid-Program Impact Report details the work we’ve supported over the past two years and how we’re setting a course for scaling efficient, climate-friendly cooling solutions for all.
Wet-bulb temperature: What is it, and how is it linked to human survival in extreme heat?
Extreme heat waves can cause cases of dehydration, exhaustion, heat stroke and even death. But the air temperature isn't the only factor in how dangerous a hot day is; there's also another measure, called the wet-bulb temperature. The wet-bulb temperature accounts for both the temperature of the air — known as "dry-bulb temperature" — and the amount of water vapor, or humidity, in it. Wet-bulb temperature is measured using a thermometer that is wrapped in a cotton cloth that has been soaked in water. If the humidity of the air around the bulb is less than 100%, some of the water from the cloth will evaporate and cool the thermometer, Kathleen Fisher, a doctoral student in exercise physiology at Penn State, told Live Science.
How Japan’s health care system is gearing up for more heatstroke cases
Japan is facing a severe heatstroke crisis as temperatures reach record levels, significantly impacting the healthcare system. Since around 2010, heatstroke cases have surged, with ambulance transports doubling from 2008 to last summer. The problem is expected to worsen with climate change, potentially doubling by 2040 in major cities like Tokyo, Osaka, and Aichi. The crisis is compounded by Japan's aging population, with those 65 and older accounting for most heatstroke deaths. This escalating situation underscores the urgent need for effective heat management and healthcare responses.
‘The place I love is in flames’: the people living and working in extreme heat
From a firefighter to a fruit farmer, from Greece to Thailand, the Guardian speaks to people in places hit hardest by the climate crisis
Heat inequality ‘causing thousands of unreported deaths in poor countries’
Friederike Otto, of World Weather Attribution, says poor people and outdoor workers are dying around the world
Heat exposure can affect hormones
A multi-disciplinary team of researchers from the Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore (NUS Medicine), University of Oxford, the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, and the William Harvey Research Institute (WHRI) at Queen Mary University of London, has stressed the urgent need for further research into the effects of heat exposure on the endocrine system. With climate change increasing seasonal temperatures and causing more heatwaves, understanding how extreme heat impacts our bodily functions and system has become more crucial than ever.
NOAA issue National Heat Strategy, provide $200K for extreme heat preparedness
Today, the Department of Commerce and NOAA announced $200,000 in funding to support extreme heat preparedness and response planning as part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s Inflation Reduction Act. This funding is supporting communities at a critical time — 2023 was the hottest year on record globally, and July 22, 2024, was Earth’s hottest day on record.
Unprecedented number of heat records broken around world this year
Exclusive: In 2024, 15 national temperature records have been set as weather extremes grow more frequent, climate historian says
New guidance for visualising extreme heat
Climate Visuals and Climate Resilience for All have released new guidance to help accurately portray extreme heat, the deadliest climate risk. This guidance aims to move beyond clichéd images of sunny weather, offering ways for photographers and videographers to capture the serious impact of extreme heat and illustrate adaptation and mitigation efforts.
Cool off like an Olympian: Here’s how athletes cope with intense heat
Extreme heat is coming. Learn how heat training, used by Olympians, can benefit athletes, outdoor workers, and the general public.
Operating the Perfect Cooling Center Is Harder Than It Looks
Many cooling centers struggle with low usage due to lack of awareness and poor locations, as seen in recent heat emergencies.
July sets new temperature records
Extreme heat hit hundreds of millions of people throughout July, with a domino effect felt right across society. July was one of the hottest - if not the hottest - month on modern record, and the world’s hottest day was registered – yet another unwelcome indication of the extent that greenhouse gases from human activities are changing our climate.
Almost half a billion children live in areas experiencing at least twice as many extremely hot days as their grandparents – UNICEF
One in 5 children – or 466 million – live in areas that experience at least double the number of extremely hot days every year compared to just six decades ago, according to a new UNICEF analysis.
Your medications might make it harder for you to beat the heat
For some, chronic health conditions can add an extra one-two punch when it comes to regulating body temperatures. Not only do some conditions affect physiological cooling, but the medications that treat those diseases could also interfere with the body’s air conditioning. Older people are especially vulnerable to these effects, both because they face higher rates of some chronic conditions and because the body’s ability to cool itself down decreases with age.
Here are 5 ways that climate change is affecting sports around the world
As extreme weather events escalate, they are likely to dramatically impact sporting events around the world. Climate change will place immense strain on global healthcare systems, causing 14.5 million deaths and $12.5 trillion in economic losses by 2050, according to a World Economic Forum report. From running marathons at night to moving annual events to different seasons, sporting organizations are racing to stay ahead of the impacts of climate change.
Heat Caused Over 47,000 Deaths in Europe in 2023, the Second Highest Burden of the Last Decade
Heat related mortality would have been 80% higher in absence of the adaptation observed during the present century
Aging Californians face extreme heat challenges
By the end of this decade, 10.8 million Californians — or one quarter of the state’s population — will be over 60 years old. That could change the way the state prepares for rising temperatures.
Indonesia Sets Path for Climate-Friendly Cooling with National Cooling Action Plan
Today, the Indonesian government launches its first National Cooling Action Plan (I-NCAP) in Bali. This first of its kind inter-ministerial initiative addresses one of the most significant contributors to global warming, guiding Indonesia towards a greener, cooler, and net-zero future.
As U.S. heat deaths rise, some landlords oppose right to air conditioning
In 2020, 12% of US homes had no air conditioning. New legislation is emerging in various cities to set indoor temperature limits, addressing the need for better cooling systems, especially in low-income and rental housing. Cities like New York and Austin are proposing maximum indoor temperatures, sparking debates with landlord lobbies over the costs of implementing these measures.
France’s deadly 2003 heatwave left a mark on the nation: Now their heatwave planning is world-class
In August 2003, a major tragedy struck France: heat. 14,802 people were killed by the hot, dry air that smothered the country for a fortnight, most of them elderly, many of them dying alone. At the time, France was caught unawares, unused to perceiving heat as a killer. As the mercury crept up to 37C, newspapers portrayed it as fun in the sun, while the health minister gave a reassuring TV address from his holiday home on the Riviera. The health crisis rapidly became a political and social one, she recalls. A parliamentary inquiry published in February 2004 identified multiple failings, and that summer France launched its first national heatwave plan.
Extreme Heat in India: A Crisis on the Rise
Teevrat Garg, economist at the School of Global Policy and Strategy, has authored a series of studies revealing the myriad consequences extreme heat has on South Asia
Climate change hits India’s artisans with a double whammy: Extreme heat makes pollution even more dangerous
Hariram Bopa has no choice but to breathe in wood smoke. In his one-room house in Jaisalmer city in Rajasthan, India, he earns his living making ravanhattas, traditional wooden bowed string instruments considered the forerunner of the violin. He uses the fire to heat iron rods for drilling holes in the wood, and the smoke evokes a bittersweet memory of his father, Ugmaram, also a renowned ravanhatta maker.
Heat is testing the limits of human survivability. Here’s how it kills
Heat is the deadliest type of extreme weather, and the human-caused climate crisis is making heat waves more severe and prolonged. Add humidity into the mix, and conditions in some places are approaching the limits of human survivability — the point at which our bodies simply cannot adapt.
Training Workshop Advances Heat Preparedness in Uttar Pradesh, India
As 2024's record heat shows, improved heat adaptation planning across India is more urgent than ever.
How can the world reduce deaths from extreme heat?
Protecting people from extreme heat will require blending the old and the new. Technological solutions like air conditioning (AC) will be essential, but relying on them alone would be a mistake.
Extreme heat may be crucial factor in human spread of bird flu
As heatwaves hit the US, farm workers struggle to wear PPE. The country now faces its biggest human outbreak
As Temperatures Climb, Workers Need Robust Protections to Stay Safe From Extreme Heat
Extreme heat can pose significant health threats for workers, especially those with physically-demanding jobs. We need a federal heat standard to ensure workers nationwide can stay safe on the job when temperatures surge.
Urban Heat Hot Spots in 65 Cities
Climate Central analyzed how and where urban heat islands boost temperatures within 65 major U.S. cities that are home to 50 million people, or 15% of the total U.S. population.
SoCal’s severe heat wave sets record temps; dangerous conditions will stick around By
A brutal heatwave hit historic highs for parts of Southern California on Sunday, with new record temperatures set in several cities, including in the Antelope and Coachella valleys.
Record temperature streak continues in June
The average global temperature has been 1.5°C above the pre-industrial era for 12 successive months, according to new data issued by the European Union’s Copernicus Climate Change Service.
Heat Warnings issued for many areas of B.C.
Heat Warnings have been issued by Environment and Climate Change Canada for many areas of B.C. High temperatures can be dangerous. Know the signs of heat-related illness and take steps to keep yourself cool.
‘Potentially historic’ heatwave threatens more than 130 million people across US
Temperatures could crest 100F (38C) in many regions after breaking records and sparking dozens of wildfires
Soldiers use this fast, cheap solution to quickly cool down in the scorching heat. And you can, too.
It almost seems too simple to be true, but research shows submerging your forearms and biceps in ice cold water can prevent overheating. It's a technique the U.S. Army has embraced at bases across the country.
Public Reddit conversation on heat preparedness kicks off with r/heat_prep
Moderated by GHHIN experts Dr.Robbie Parks (Columbia University) and Nate Matthew-Triggs (Americares) r/heat_prep is a public-engagement tool for extreme heat preparedness: sharing information, innovative strategies, and cooling technology to protect health and wellbeing in the face of worsening extreme heat.
More extreme heat demands coordinated action
With extreme heat posing a growing threat to human health, the environment and key economic sectors, hundreds of millions of people in the northern hemisphere are bracing for what is typically the hottest month of the year, July.
Heat is killing thousands, and big events have not adjusted
At large events all over the world, the scenes of extreme heat stress are starting to look familiar. Older men, shirts undone, lying down with their eyes closed. Aid tents packed with the unconscious. And lines of the faithful – whether they seek religion, music, ballot boxes or sport – sweating under slivers of shade. The consequences have been dire. At the 2024 haj, the Islamic pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia, at least 1,300 people died as temperatures surpassed 38 deg C. And in many ways, that heavy toll was just the latest sign that crowd control and heatwaves fuelled by climate change are on a dangerous collision course.
Scientists worried by future warmer nights want to help workers, residents in S’pore sleep better
Over the next several months, Prof Lee and his team at NUS, alongside partners from the Berkeley Education Alliance for Research in Singapore (Bears), will be tracking the sleep quality of construction workers in non-air-conditioned dormitories and residents in air-conditioned bedrooms. The latter will be conducted in a laboratory setting.
In photos: How delivery riders are coping with India’s extreme heat wave
India has been experiencing a historic heat wave since May, with temperatures in New Delhi crossing 50 degrees Celsius (122 degrees Fahrenheit) on some days. The extreme weather has claimed over 100 lives, and about 40,000 suspected cases of heatstroke have been registered across the country. Last week, the government issued an advisory, urging citizens to avoid going outdoors between noon and 3 p.m., the hottest time of the day.
Deadly heat in Mexico and US made 35 times more likely by global heating
The deadly heatwave that scorched large swaths of Mexico, Central America and the southern US in recent weeks was made 35 times more likely due to human-induced global heating, according to research by leading climate scientists from World Weather Attribution (WWA).
Extreme heat killing more than 100 people in Mexico hotter and much more likely due to climate change
End of May and beginning of June 2024, Mexico and surrounding regions experienced extreme heat. Mexico already reported 125 heat-related deaths this season.
Deadly heatwaves in Central America – 35 times more likely because of climate change and four times more likely than in 2000
Deadly heatwaves which recently hit North and Central America were made 35 times more likely because of human-induced climate change, according to the latest study by World Weather Attribution (WWA). WWA is a collaboration of scientists and analysts including some from the Red Cross Red Crescent Climate Centre.
Grant Funds are available to add more trees and shade in Phoenix
Get Involved! Grant Funds are available to add more trees and shade in Phoenix. We are looking to fund projects in neighborhoods with low tree and shade coverage throughout the City.
Free air con? US cities look at new ways to prevent heat deaths
Temperatures are predicted on Thursday to reach 114F (45.5C) in the city. The daunting forecast has become a new normal for not just the American West, but for communities across the US and the globe as scientists say extreme weather events are becoming more frequent and intense with climate change.
Inside India’s first heat stroke emergency room
In one of the largest hospitals in India’s capital, Delhi, a physician says he has never seen anything like this before. “This is an unprecedented heatwave. In my 13 years of working here, I don’t remember signing a death certificate for heat stroke. This year, I’ve signed several,” says Ajay Chauhan of the Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital (RMLH).
Record-breaking US heat wave scorches the Midwest and Northeast, bringing safety measures
Stifling heat blanketed tens of millions across United States on Tuesday, forcing people and even zoo animals to find ways to cool down as summer arrives in what promises to be a sweltering week.
Baby, it’s Hot Outside. New Toolkit to Help Reduce Heat-Related Health Problems
As summer heats up, with heat domes already causing record-breaking temperatures across the country, the North Carolina Office of Recovery and Resiliency (NCORR) has issued a heat action plan toolkit for local governments to help their citizens avoid heat-related injury.
Fema petitioned to make extreme heat and wildfire smoke major disasters
A coalition of environmental non-profit organizations have called on the the Federal Emergency Management Agency (Fema) to add extreme heat and wildfire smoke to its list of major disasters that could qualify for emergency funding.
Forecast: Very hot. What your employer should be doing to protect you on high-heat days
Along with stifling days comes the risk of developing dangerous heat-related conditions, such as dehydration, heat stress, heat exhaustion, heat stroke and other hazards.
Why isn’t extreme heat considered a disaster in the U.S.?
That difference stems from a longstanding convention: FEMA responds to natural disasters like hurricanes or earthquakes — disasters with major and obvious damage to physical infrastructure. But the agency has not historically responded to extreme heat. Now, a coalition of environmental nonprofits, labor unions, health professionals and environmental justice groups is asking the agency to change that. In a petition filed Monday, the coalition asks FEMA to add extreme heat and wildfire smoke to the list of disasters to which they respond.
Read A Book. Escape The Heat. LA Launching Cooling Center Pilot Program At Libraries
Five libraries in some of the hottest L.A. neighborhoods with the most people at risk of heat-related illness will be part of a pilot program to expand “cooling centers."
How Sweltering Heat Disrupts Learning and What Schools Can Do
With temperatures expected to be far above average in parts of the Midwest and Northeast, some districts in New York and New Jersey are opting to beat the heat with half-days this week. The early dismissals where school is still in session are intended to allow students to make their treks home before temperatures hit their highest points. But the sweltering weather is coinciding with state testing, which might make it harder for students to focus and perform well on the exams. “Classrooms become uncomfortable and present potential health issues in extreme heat,” read a message posted on New York’s East Greenbush school district’s website.
Stressed out: how to measure dangerous heat
n the hottest year on record, with scorching conditions claiming lives from India to Mexico and Greece sweltering in its earliest-ever heatwave, experts are sounding the alarm over heat stress.
The Hellenic Red Cross acts ahead of extreme heat in Greece
he Hellenic Red Cross activated its Simplified Early Action Protocol (EAP) for Extreme Heat on 8 June 2024, after the National Observatory of Athens predicted scorching temperatures across Greece this week. The Red Cross team will now carry out a series of anticipatory actions to help people cope with the impacts.
Explore the indicators of the Lancet Countdown in Europe 2024
In 2023, record-breaking global temperatures highlighted the urgent need for climate action to prevent worsening climate-related health impacts. Europe, warming at twice the global average rate, faces significant health threats and unnecessary loss of life. The Lancet Countdown in Europe, established in 2021, aims to drive rapid health-responsive climate actions. Its 2022 report tracked progress using 33 indicators across five domains. The latest report expands to 42 indicators, emphasizing the negative health impacts of climate change, the slow response of European countries, and missed health improvement opportunities. Enhanced methods and nine new indicators now address issues like leishmaniasis, ticks, food security, and emissions. The report also examines inequality and justice, focusing on at-risk groups in Europe and the continent’s climate crisis responsibility.
Amid Record-Breaking Heat Wave, Researchers Step Up Warnings About Risks Extreme Temperatures Pose to Children
From how they sweat to how they breathe, young people process high temperatures differently than adults. Recent studies also show heat’s effects on learning, sleep and mental health.
Why Is Nobody Investing in Climate Adaptation?
Contrary to the rest of the U.S. tech industry, the market for climate mitigation solutions has boomed of late. Since 2022, U.S. solar energy capacity has grown 51%; sales of electric vehicles rose 146%; and investors have plowed $473 billion into 152 manufacturing clean energy manufacturing projects. The U.S. Energy Information Administration projects battery storage capacity will double in 2024. In 2022 alone, private investors threw more than $70 billion at startups working to decarbonize everything from cement production to aviation fuel. And this is all as the cost of solar has dropped 82% over the past decade. Globally, the world now invests almost twice as much in clean energy as it does in oil and gas.
Historic heat is roasting Puerto Rico, where it feels like 125 degrees
Puerto Rico is slogging through a prolonged and historic heat wave, which “astonished” meteorologists are attributing to a confluence of weather and ocean patterns, as well as human-caused climate change. The heat index has reached as high as 125 degrees, and the dangerous heat is expected to continue through the weekend.
A heat dome can bring dangerously high temperatures. What is it?
Much of the Western U.S. is experiencing extreme heat this week — with temperatures easily topping 100. Blame a condition known as a heat dome. But what is it? If you want to visualize how a heat dome can trap a region in intensely hot weather, picture yourself making a grilled cheese sandwich. “It almost acts like a lid on a pot,” the National Weather Service’s Alex Lamers tells NPR. He’s the operations branch chief at the Weather Prediction Center.
How to Properly Cool Your Home With a Fan
Hot weather is a major threat to health, and this summer is on track to be even hotter than usual. Air conditioning is a lifesaver in these conditions, but a much older technology could protect your safety, your budget, and even the planet. Keeping cool over the next few months could revolve around the blades of a refreshing fan.
Tucson adopts Worker Heat Protection Ordinance, Heat Action Roadmap
the Tucson City Council tonight adopted a Heat Action Roadmap and Heat Protection Ordinance for City Contractors—two actions that are increasing the City’s ability to mitigate and manage extreme heat and build resilience for the future. The Heat Action Roadmap marks the next step as part of the implementation of Tucson Resilient Together, the City’s Climate Action and Adaptation Plan. The Roadmap includes three goals: Informing, Preparing and Protecting People; Cooling People‘s Homes, and Community Centers; and Cooling Tucson Neighborhoods.
The Center for Heat Resilient Communities gets a NOAA Grant
In episode 207 of America Adapts, Dr. Kelly Turner of UCLA and Dr. Ladd Keith at the University of Arizona join host Doug Parsons to discuss groundbreaking work in extreme heat governance and planning, specifically focusing on the recent NOAA grant awarded to launch the Center for Heat Resilient Communities. The grant aims to enhance heat resilience in communities by encouraging connections between stakeholders and the federal government, with a heavy emphasis on climate justice and environmental justice as part of President Biden’s Justice40 initiative. The discussion also covers federally funded research programs supporting rural and tribal communities with heat resilience, mapping shade equity nationally, and initiatives on indoor cooling. Kelly and Ladd encourage involvement in the field of heat policy and governance, inviting individuals to reach out and engage with the three year project.
US Launches Nationwide Heat and Health Tool to Protect Communities Most Impacted by Extreme Heat
New tool – the first-ever to provide zip-code level data – will help target heat-related health resources and prioritize life-saving interventions for communities most affected by extreme heat
India may have recorded its hottest temperatures ever as Delhi faces extreme heatwave
Daytime temperatures had already been soaring to nearly 50C in Delhi and other parts of north India this week as India continued to grapple with an extreme heatwave that has also affected turnout in the ongoing national election.
Heat Action Day: Raising the alarm about extreme heat through art
Sometimes words aren’t enough. If you want to be heard, you need to say it another way. For Heat Action Day 2024, people around the world are raising the alarm about the dangers of extreme heat with colors, canvas and a lot of creativity.
Heat waves increase the number of risky, premature births
Expecting worse: Giving birth on a planet in crisis is a collaboration between Vox, Grist, and The 19th that examines how climate change impacts reproductive health — from menstruation to conception to birth. Explore the series here.
Climate change and the escalation of global extreme heat
This report assesses the influence of human-caused climate change on dangerous heat waves over the past 12 months (May 15, 2023 to May 15, 2024). The period of analysis spans Earth’s hottest year on record (2023) and 11 consecutive months of record-breaking global temperatures (June 2023-April 2024). The report found that human-caused climate change is boosting dangerous extreme heat for billions, and making heat events longer and more likely.
Too Hot To Work
Besides physiological repercussions, heatwaves and elevated ambient temperatures have also been linked to adverse mental health outcomes including impact on memory, reduction in reaction time and ability to pay attention.
Climate change caused 26 extra days of extreme heat globally
A new report has revealed that the world experienced an average of 26 additional days of extreme heat over the past 12 months, a phenomenon that would likely not have occurred without the influence of human-caused climate change.
Schools that never needed AC are now overheating. Fixes will cost billions.
Nearly 40 percent of schools in the United States were built before the 1970s, when temperatures were cooler and fewer buildings needed air conditioning.
Study Analyses the Impact of Summer Heat on Hospital Admissions in Spain
A team from the Barcelona Institute for Global Health, a centre supported by the "la Caixa" Foundation, and the French National Institute of Health and Medical Research (Inserm), has carried out an analysis of hospital admissions related to high summer temperatures in Spain over more than a decade.
Seven lessons for journalism in the age of extreme heat
Earlier this month members and alumni of the Oxford Climate Journalism Network met to explore heat and how to cover it. Here are our takeaways.
NIHHIS Centers of Excellence Announced
NIHHIS is announcing awards totaling $4.55 million over three years to promote community heat resilience across the country. The awards will fund two Centers of Excellence that will 1) conduct community science research projects designed to improve equitable community heat resilience and expand actionable, place-based climate information and 2) improve the state of the science and practice by learning from, scaling up, and openly sharing approaches, policies, protocols, and lessons to benefit all communities. The centers will create a network of sustained collaboration for all levels of government and community-based organizations to collaborate on reducing heat risk and advancing heat resilience strategies.
Summer 2023 Was Hottest Summer in the Northern Hemisphere in 2,000 Years, Study Finds
After studying tree rings from the past 2,000 years, researchers have found that the Northern Hemisphere experienced its hottest summer in 2023 in the past two millennia.
Searing temperatures sweep across Asia, causing distress for millions
As scorching heatwaves sweep across the Asia Pacific region and countries hit record-breaking temperatures, the IFRC warns that millions of people including children, the elderly, outdoor labourers and individuals with low immunity and pre-existing conditions are at very high risk. National Societies in (alphabetically) Bangladesh, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, the Philippines and others are already responding with urgent initiatives to help and relieve people through this relentless heat. Climate change is, in large part, to blame. A report released yesterday by World Weather Attribution, a scientific group supported by the Climate Centre, found all these heatwaves have been driven by climate change.
Do Hot Summer Temperatures Weaken the Immune System?
Heat seems to trigger a sweep of changes in immune system molecules, although researchers disagree on what they might mean.
Climate change made the deadly heatwaves that hit millions of highly vulnerable people across Asia more frequent and extreme
Throughout April and continuing into May 2024, extreme record-breaking heat led to severe impacts across the Asian continent.
April Heat Waves from Gaza to the Philippines Were Made Worse by Climate Change
From Gaza to India to the Philippines, climate change exacerbated often record-breaking extreme heat over the past month
The 2024 Europe Report of the Lancet Countdown warns urgent action is needed to protect health from climate change
The report monitors 42 indicators and has been led by the Barcelona Supercomputing Center-Centro Nacional de Supercomputación and ISGlobal
School’s out: how climate change threatens education
Record-breaking heat last month that prompted governments in Asia to close schools offers fresh evidence of how climate change is threatening the education of millions of children.
State of the Climate in Latin America and the Caribbean 2023
The WMO State of the Climate in Latin America and the Caribbean 2023 report confirmed that it was by far the warmest year on record. Sea levels continued to rise at a higher rate than the global average around much of the Atlantic region, threatening coastal areas and small island developing States.
From flooding in Brazil and Houston to brutal heat in Asia, extreme weather seems nearly everywhere
In a world growing increasingly accustomed to wild weather swings, the last few days and weeks have seemingly taken those environmental extremes to a new level. Some climate scientists say they are hard pressed to remember when so much of the world has had its weather on overdrive at the same time.
The fast development of DestinE’s Climate Change Adaptation Digital Twin
The Climate Change Adaptation Digital Twin (Climate DT) developed in the Destination Earth initiative (DestinE) of the European Commission is a pioneering effort to build an operational and interactive capability for novel multi-decadal global climate projections with local granularity (at 5 to 10 km resolutions), providing information across scales that matter for decision-making in support of climate change adaptation.
New guidelines launched to protect children and pregnant women from heat stress in Bangladesh
As the country reels from a suffocating heatwave, Directorate General of Health Services, with UNICEF support, launch guidelines to respond to heat-related risks such as preterm birth and severe heat stress in young children.
The world’s garment workers are on the front lines of climate impacts
Nour, who asked to use a pseudonym out of fear of reprisal from her employer, works at Yakjin, a South Korean-owned garment factory in Cambodia. More than 2,500 employees here stitch apparel for major U.S. giants like Walmart and Gap. Workers at Yakjin say the heat often leads to near-fainting episodes, fatigue, and dehydration. With no windows, the air feels stifling but their requests for fans are at times ignored.
Call for public comment and author nominations: Sixth National Climate Assessment (NCA6)
As a Program, we recognize that a robust public engagement strategy is vital to developing a National Climate Assessment that is relevant to its users. The Sixth National Climate Assessment (NCA6) development process is designed to be transparent and inclusive, offering multiple opportunities for public participation. As in previous assessments, USGCRP will offer public calls for authors and input on other key aspects of NCA6 development. In addition, NCA6 will undergo an extensive, multi-phase review process that engages the public. The first major opportunity to provide input on the development of NCA6 is available now: - The public is invited to provide comments on the proposed scope and themes for NCA6, nominate authors, and submit scientific and technical inputs. - Submit comments and author nominations through the USGCRP Public Contribution System by 11:59 PM ET on June 7, 2024. - You can submit scientific/technical inputs on an ongoing basis.
Mali heatwave: Ice becomes a hot commodity as temperatures soar
The problems began almost a year ago, with Mali's state power company failing to match growing demand after accumulating hundreds of millions of dollars in debt in recent years. Many Malians do not have back-up generators as it is expensive to refuel them. No electricity means no fans at night, forcing many to sleep outside. And it is affecting people's health.
Widespread parts of Asia and Africa reel under extreme weather
Extreme rainfall and floods have claimed many lives and caused economic and agricultural losses in East Africa and parts of the Arabian peninsular. Intense heat has gripped large parts of Asia, disrupting daily life and posing a serious health threat.
Jodhpur, India launches “first-of-its-kind Net Zero Cooling Station for the Informal Sector”
MHT and Jodhpur Nagar Nigam North is proud to introduce, the first-of-its-kind ‘Net Zero Cooling Station’ for the Informal Sector. As a crucial part of the Heat Action Plan, the Cooling Station is a dedicated space aimed at keeping urban poor and marginalized communities cool and safe during soaring temperatures.
IBISA launches a new parametric Heat Index Product in India to protect women workers from heat-induced wage losses
IBISA, a global climate Insurtech company, and ICMIF member, is launching an innovative insurance solution called Heat Index Product to help. Mutuality plays a crucial role in shaping IBISA’s customer-centric approach.
Let’s Commit to Saving Workers from Heat, Not Killing Them
Just five states currently have specific, enforceable occupational heat safeguards, and there are no federal standards. Of the five states, only Oregon protects most of its indoor and outdoor workers all year round—although California may partially catch up later this year.
This Earth Day we consider the impact of climate change on human health
By 2050, climate change will place immense strain on global healthcare systems, causing 14.5 million deaths and $12.5 trillion in economic losses. This was the warning from the Quantifying the impact of climate change on human health report published in January 2024 by the World Economic Forum in collaboration with Oliver Wyman.
Billions of Workers Exposed to Health Hazards Due to Climate Change
The International Labor Organization reports more than 70 percent of workers around the world, over 2.4 billion workers out of a global workforce of 3.4 billion, are exposed to excessive heat and other climate-change-related health hazards.
Health-harming heat stress rising in Europe, scientists say
Europe is increasingly facing bouts of heat so intense that the human body cannot cope, as climate change continues to raise temperatures, the EU's Copernicus climate monitoring service and the World Meteorological Organization said on Monday.
‘Discomfort May Increase’: Asia’s Heat Wave Scorches Hundreds of Millions
Hundreds of millions of people in South and Southeast Asia were suffering on Monday from a punishing heat wave that has forced schools to close, disrupted agriculture, and raised the risk of heat strokes and other health complications.
Earth month giving campaign supports health-centered climate solutions
The Yale Center on Climate Change and Health (YCCCH) launched an Earth Month Giving Campaign in April to support health-centered climate solutions. This is the first matching donation campaign for YCCCH, which was initiated in 2015 at the Yale School of Public Health (YSPH) to address the adverse impacts of climate change through research, education, public health practice, and policy development.
Europe experiences widespread flooding and severe heatwaves in 2023
In 2023, the impacts of climate change continued to be seen across Europe, with millions of people impacted by extreme weather events, making the development of mitigation and adaptation measurements a priority. To achieve this, understanding climate trends is vital. The Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S), together with the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), today release the 2023 European State of the Climate report (ESOTC 2023).
More frequent and extreme weather events pose increasing risks to employee health and business performance
Despite the growing number of studies linking the planet's changing climate to an increase in physical and mental health issues, less than one in five business leaders feel fully prepared to address the long-term, climate-driven health risks facing their workforce, according to an analysis of existing research released today by the National Commission on Climate and Workforce Health (the Commission). The Commission's analysis brings to light the significant implications climate-related health risks can have on a business' people, operations, and performance – as well as the U.S. economy – as up to 84% of the value of S&P 500 companies is in human capital.
Deadly Heat Wave in Recent Weeks Would Not Have Been Possible without Climate Change
Scientists say extreme temperatures that reached 119 degrees Fahrenheit and killed at least 100 people in parts of West Africa would only occur every 200 years in the absence of climate change
‘We need more shade’: US’s hottest city turns to trees to cool those most in need
Phoenix is America’s fifth largest and hottest city, a sprawling urban heat island which has expanded without adequate consideration to climate and environmental factors like water scarcity and extreme heat. Multiple heat records were broken last year including 133 days over 100F (37.7C), and 55 days topping 110F (43C).
Federal agencies, communities to map heat inequities in 14 U.S. cities
This summer NOAA, in partnership with the U.S. Departments of Health and Human Services (HHS) and Housing and Urban Development (HUD), as well as community scientists, will map the hottest neighborhoods in 14 U.S. communities and four international cities. Identifying these areas, called urban heat islands, helps communities take action to reduce the health impacts of extreme heat and provides cooling relief for those living in the hottest areas.
The Heat Is On During India’s 2024 General Elections
India typically experiences intense heatwaves between March and June each year, and these events impose an extreme burden on public health as well as on the economy at large. Last year’s heat experience in India was challenging, with multiple extreme temperature records broken due to the effects of climate change and El Niño. While last year registered as the second warmest for India, 2024 may offer little relief from these concerning trends. The year’s heat season is a critical period from a public health perspective because it coincides with India's general election, during which more than 900 million eligible voters will cast ballots on seven polling days between April 19 and June 1. As India embarks on its longest-ever election (spanning 44 days) during the sweltering peak of summer, anticipating and addressing the significant adverse effects of heatwaves will be crucial.
Two Sides of the Equator: Extreme Heat in the Southern Hemisphere
In the colder months of winter, it is understandable to let global temperature rise and the risks of extreme heat temporarily slip our minds. In the Northern Hemisphere, October to May can often provide a welcomed respite, with the heat of summer becoming a distant memory.
Can Buildings Save Us From Extreme Heatwaves?
Heat is deadlier than you think. In the United States, It kills more people in an average year than hurricanes, tornadoes and floods combined. And as the planet gets hotter, severe heatwaves are occurring more often than ever. Welcome to Antidote, a three-part series examining the links between the climate crisis and public health. In the second episode, we’re looking at the effect extreme heat and high humidity has on our bodies – and what we can do about it. In a rapidly warming world, can we rely on inaccessible and carbon-intensive air conditioning to keep us cool? Can we instead look to architects to design new buildings that help us cope with extreme heat? Thank you so much to our contributors, Professor Jason Lee from the University of Singapore and Dr. Kazi Golam Rasul from The Friendship Hospital NGO in Bangladesh, for lending us your expertise and insights. Antidote is a BBC Studios Natural History Unit co-production with Wellcome Trust.
Reforestation revolution would save lives across U.S. cities
As climate change accelerates, making full use of trees’ ability to provide natural cooling can reduce heat-related health risks – and cut power bills
Schools close and crops wither as ‘historic’ heatwave hits south-east Asia
Thousands of schools in the Philippines have stopped in-person classes due to unbearable heat. In Indonesia, prolonged dry weather has caused rice prices to soar. In Thailand’s waters, temperatures are so high that scientists fear coral could be destroyed.
USAID and IFRC Hold Global Summit on Extreme Heat, Launch Global Action Sprint
As part of the Summit, USAID and IFRC kicked off a Global Sprint of Action on Extreme Heat to raise awareness and spur commitments around extreme heat, beginning with today’s Summit and culminating with the Global Day of Action on Extreme Heat on June 2, 2024.
Extreme heat affects men’s fertility and birth outcomes: NUS study
Punishing hot weather affects not only a person’s health or work productivity but also affects couples’ fertility and birth outcomes, a project by the National University of Singapore (NUS) found.
Extreme heat is the silent assassin of climate change
Extreme heat is not only an issue in the Northern Hemisphere from June to September. As I write, in March, there’s an unprecedented closure of schools across South Sudan. It’s due not to conflict or economic woes but an extraordinary surge in temperatures to more than 42 degrees Celsius (108 degrees Fahrenheit). Parts of South America and Australia are just emerging from their two hottest summers ever. Worldwide, 2023 was the hottest on record – by a huge margin. Half the world’s people – 3.8 billion in fact – simmered under extreme heat for at least one day last year.
Lab experiment: What extreme heat does to your body
From hot and dry to warm and humid weather conditions, Renee Poh goes through a lab experiment to track how different types of extreme heat impacts the body. Renee speaks to director Dr Jason Lee at the Heat Resilience and Performance Centre in National University of Singapore, to understand the physiological strain as seen in her heart rate, core temperature and skin temperature during the stress test.
‘Urgent and sustainable’ action needed to safeguard health: MJA-Lancet Countdown
Leading scientists behind the latest MJA-Lancet Countdown report call for urgent and sustainable action to safeguard against the health impacts of climate change.
Extreme heat at work can double stillbirth risk, India study finds
Working in extreme heat can double the risk of stillbirth and miscarriage for pregnant women, according to new research from India. The study found that the risks to mothers-to-be are significantly higher than previously thought. Researchers say hotter summers can affect not only women in tropical climates, but also in countries such as the UK.
Further 1 deg C warming endangers 800m outdoor workers: Study
It will take only 1 deg C of further global warming for intense, humid heat to endanger the health and imperil the livelihoods of hundreds of millions of outdoor workers in the tropics, a United States-led study has found.
Heat stress causes lower fertility, productivity and reduced cognitive capacity
The findings from Project HeatSafe give a multi-faceted perspective of how heat stress, will lead to detrimental impacts and consequences on the individual, from compromised decision-making, cognitive capacities and productivity, to affecting one’s health and well-being such as fertility and pregnancy outcomes, as well as on a macroeconomic scale, specifically labour and economic productivity.
Policy Watch: Countries slow to wake up to the mounting deaths from heat stress
Extreme heat is set to continue in 2024, due to both climate change and the naturally occurring El Nino. These aren’t abstract concepts. Rising temperatures will have serious consequences, for us and our survival.
Workshop Accelerates Heat Preparedness Action in India
As the impacts of climate change become more obvious on the ground, India’s National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has led annual discussions on improving preparedness ahead of the most intense phase of the annual heat season. Last month, NDMA convened a two-day National Workshop on Management Interventions and Mitigation Strategies for Heat Wave New Delhi part of series of discussions that enable knowledge exchange amongst the country’s leading experts on heat resilience. The February event also served to advance the work of a technical advisory group recently formed by NDMA to develop national recommendations for improved urban heatwave management.
As heat becomes a national threat, who will be protected?
Extreme heat affects everyone. But in Florida, the hottest state in the country, only one group is legally protected.
Olympic athletes could face a tough opponent: Brutal Paris heat
The Olympics are planned for the same stretch of days as a catastrophic 2003 heat wave. Continued global warming has only increased the odds of another.
Hobart endures hottest night in 112 years as severe heatwave hits south-eastern Australia
Extreme heat forecast to continue across Victoria, Tasmania, SA and NSW for several days, as record temperatures cause cancellation of long weekend events
Florida passes ‘cruel’ bill curbing water and shade protections for workers
The Florida legislature passed a bill on Friday that prevents any city, county, or municipality in the state from adopting legislation aimed at protecting outdoor workers from extreme heat, prompting many to call out lawmakers for being “cruel” to the “most vulnerable workers”.
How is the UK responding to heatwave risk?
Being prepared for heatwaves can save lives, yet research shows that it is often after a heat event that places start to adapt. Improving preparedness requires a combination of long-term strategic planning and joined-up emergency response plans, early warning systems, and public and sectoral awareness of heatwave risk and actions to take.
Argentina melts in late-summer heat wave as records tumble
Argentina is being hit by a blistering late-summer heat wave, with many places setting record temperatures for March, while residents, tourists and crops swelter in the sun. Some towns and cities have posted temperatures as high as 40 degrees Celsius (104°F), with Nueve de Julio and Ezeiza breaking records for the month. Buenos Aires itself hit 38 degrees Celsius, breaking a record previously set in 1952.
India Seasonal Outlook
The India Meteorlogical Department March April May (MAM) seasonal outlook expects a greater number of heatwave days than average over most parts of the country, with exceptions.
Shaping a Heat Resilient City – Singapore
As a city-state with limited land, forward planning is important to ensure that Singapore remains liveable and sustainable. Climate change effects such as rising temperatures pose a threat to our city’s liveability. To strengthen Singapore's heat resilience and combat the effects of heat stress, the public, private and academia sectors have leveraged research and innovation to design and plan for a cooler city for many generations to come.
Arizona announces Extreme Heat Preparedness Plan
The Arizona Governor's office announced the state’s first Extreme Heat Preparedness Plan following months of consultation and collaboration with a variety of stakeholders across industries and jurisdictions. The plan underscores the need for action and lays out both near and long term recommendations to address extreme heat in Arizona.
WHO launches Repository of interventions in environment, climate change and health
Today the World Health Organization launched a comprehensive Repository of systematic reviews on interventions in environment, climate change and health. The Repository aims to assess the current state of evidence and to provide a list of systematic reviews on interventions in all major areas of environment, climate change and health (ECH).
Climate Pulse, C3S’s new monitoring tool
The record high global average temperatures observed in 2023 have shown the importance of closely monitoring our climate. To make climate monitoring more intuitive and available to everyone, the Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S*) presents Climate Pulse, a new interactive application that gives a concise and precise picture of the near-real time status of our climate.
Copernicus Interactive Climate Atlas (C3S)
The Copernicus Interactive Climate Atlas, launched by the Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S*) on 20 February, is set to be an important new resource for policymakers looking to formulate effective climate policy and for other users needing to visualise and analyse climate change information. This new tool from C3S, which builds on the Interactive Atlas of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC-IA), provides authoritative information on recent past trends and projected future changes for a wide range of key climate variables. Let’s take a closer look.
Empowering health professionals as leaders in climate action
Health professionals possess a diverse and expansive role, with the power to influence policy, challenge social norms, and drive transformative change. Drawing from a rich history of advocacy, they are uniquely positioned to address pressing issues through the lens of public health and disseminate critical information to the broader public.
Por El Niño costero: Perú ha sufrido 32 olas de calor diurnas y 27 nocturnas
Perú ha sufrido, hasta este miércoles, 32 episodios de olas de calor diurnos y 27 olas de calor nocturnas principalmente en la costa norte y central del país, en el contexto de la presencia del fenómeno climático de El Niño Costero 2023-2024, informaron las autoridades sanitarias.
B.C. report says climate change brings health risk, as doctor fears ’colossal harms’
Communities across B.C. need to prepare for a climate-related health crisis like the deadly 2021 heat dome every year, according to the lead contributor to a report on health risks associated with climate change.
¿Cómo enfriar a Montevideo para enfrentar las olas de calor? / How to cool Montevideo during heat waves?
Varios expertos consultados para esta nota creen que Montevideo puede transformarse en una ciudad mejor preparada para enfrentar los impactos futuros de las olas de calor. La base debe incluir tres elementos básicos: más verde, más sombra, más agua. “No alcanza con poner un florerito”, opina Nagy.
La nueva estrategia para enfrentar las olas de calor: una medida ante las altas temperaturas (España) / The new strategy to address heat waves in Spain
Spain’s government responding to the unstoppable advance of the climate crisis and its effects on public health, is taking significant measures to reform heat wave alert systems. The increase in the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, such as heat waves, concerns healthcare services about the negative effects of global warming on the population.
¿Se dará descanso médico a personas afectadas por golpes de calor en Lima? / Will there be medical leave for heat stroke in Lima?
The Servicio Nacional de Metereología e Hidrología (Senamhi) warned about temperatures in Lima and Callao that had not been experienced in more than four decades. These temperatures explain the intensity of the heat felt in the streets, vehicles, and homes, increasing the risk of heat stroke, and therefore threatening the health of many people. Under these circumstances, La República consulted on the possibility of obtaining a medical leave from EsSalud for people affected by this climatic phenomenon. Read more to know the answer.
Temperatura en Tumbes llega a los 44º C y los niños son afectados por golpe de calor / Temperature in Tumbes reaches 44º C and is affecting children
In the first five weeks of 2024, approximately 300 children between 0 and 10 years old were treated in health centers due to acute stomach infections and severe dehydration. Tumbes is going through a heat wave and people are depending on bottled water as a safe water source, due to the lack of access to clean water. The price for this valuable resource is increasing, putting disadvantaged families at risk of water-borne infections while trying to avoid dehydration in the extreme heat.
Excessive Heat in Australia: Understanding Causes and Impacts
Excessive heat is not just a scorching summer’s day. It's a meteorological event characterised by temperatures that significantly exceed the average for a region. These heat conditions pose serious threats to both the environment and human health.
Multiple city hubs, dispersed parks found to keep metro areas cooler
Metropolitan areas with multiple city centers and dispersed green spaces mitigate extreme heat more effectively than those with one dominant city, an analysis by Cornell city planning scholars finds.
Heat Islands in Buenos Aires / Islas de calor – Estas son las esquinas porteñas donde la temperatura es un infierno
The map of heat islands in Buenos Aires and surrounding areas that we put together for this article is very eloquent. The red areas, with high floor temperatures, differ from the blue areas, where the climate is much more pleasant, even in the middle of a heat wave. This last Thursday, when the stress on the corner of Flores was unbearable, at the intersection of Avenida del Libertador and San Martín de Tours, in Palermo, the weather was much more pleasant. A fresh wind climbed from the river and the green corridors of jacarandas and tipas provided shade that relieved the heaviness. The sensation is confirmed by the data: according to a study, the average soil temperature in that area is 21°C, 20 degrees less than in the corner of Flores.
Mumbai’s spendings will be double of New York’s to manage urban heat generated due to concretisation
Mumbai will spend more than double of New York's to manage urban heat generated due to massive concretization as the summer of 2023 has underscored the need to mitigate the impacts of record-breaking heat, particularly in cities around the world subject to the urban heat island (UHI) effect (increase in heat due to man-made concretization) which causes them to experience significantly hotter temperatures than in neighbouring rural areas, warns a latest international study.
Combatting Urban Heat: The Impact of Irrigation on Temperature and Humidity in Beijing
Urban heat island (UHI) phenomenon, a term that describes urban areas’ tendency to be warmer than their surrounding rural areas, is a growing concern, especially in densely populated cities like Beijing. As urbanization continues to increase, so does the temperature in these urban areas, causing discomfort and potential health risks for the inhabitants. However, recent research has revealed a promising solution to this issue in the form of urban irrigation.
Wildfires cause huge loss of life in Chile amid heatwaves in South America
The Chilean government declared a state of emergency and a period of national mourning. More than 100 people were reportedly killed and the death toll was expected to rise further as rescuers sought to reach worst hit areas in the Valparaíso region, including around the coastal town of Viña del Mar
Converging Climate Risks Interact to Cause More Harm, Hitting Disadvantaged Californians Hardest
Extreme heat and wildfire smoke can each increase the risk of cardiac and respiratory disease and death. But recent studies show that exposure to heat and particle pollution together can be far more dangerous than exposure to either alone. And emerging evidence suggests that the fine particulate matter, or PM2.5, from wildfires may be far more harmful than PM2.5 emissions from other sources like car exhaust. Now, it’s clear that PM2.5 from smoke, combined with heat, is a particularly harmful combination.
How mapping ‘heat islands’ can help cities prepare for extreme heat
Climate change, driven primarily by burning fossil fuels, pushed temperatures so high last year that scientists were astounded when 2023 became the hottest year on record. Communities like Oklahoma City are now preparing for a future with extreme temperatures by understanding which areas are the hottest.
Climate change has killed 4 million people since 2000 — and that’s an underestimate
In the early 2000s, as climate denialism was infecting political institutions around the world like a malevolent plague, an Australian epidemiologist named Anthony McMichael took on a peculiar and morbid scientific question: How many people were being killed by climate change? McMichael’s research team tallied up how many lives had been lost to diarrheal disease, malnutrition, malaria, cardiovascular disease (a proxy for heat-related illness), and flooding, worldwide, in the year 2000. The researchers then used computer modeling to parse out the percentage of those deaths that were attributable to climate change. Climate change, they estimated, was responsible for 166,000 lives lost that year.
GHHIN welcomes Alejandro Saez Reale as new Technical Support Unit Coordinator
Alejandro is a specialist in climate action and urban planning, with more than 10 years of experience in project management, evidence generation and stakeholder engagement. His recent research and work experience has mainly focused on urban heat islands, heat waves and their impact on cities. He joins the Network team as part of the WMO-WHO Joint Office for Climate and Health in Geneva.
Cooling Shelters in Buenos Aires / Red de Refugios Climáticos de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires
In order to strengthen the adaptation strategies against extreme temperatures and heat waves, Subsecretaría de Ambiente in Buenos Aires, Argentina created the city's Climate Shelter Network, providing spaces where residents can cool off and take shelter for a moment during hot days. Please note that there is no medical care in these spaces. If you have symptoms such as dizziness, headache, dehydration, nausea, etc., go to the nearest health center.
Sydney’s first pop-up cooling hub draws a crowd as the mercury soars
Socially disadvantaged people are more exposed to extreme heat, sleeping on the street, in cars or tents, or in overcrowded and substandard housing. How to keep people cool on a hot day is a problem that communities, health organisations, governments and councils are having to grapple with.
Extreme heat can be risky during pregnancy. How to look after yourself and your baby
Extreme heat presents a major public health threat. It can be especially dangerous for people who are socioeconomically disadvantaged, and people who have reduced physiological ability to adapt, such as older adults and those with certain medical conditions. Pregnant people are also more vulnerable, with evidence showing exposure to extreme heat is associated with increased risks for the baby.
Water recycling could be key to cooling Sydney’s west
A new research project is poised to deliver the formula to safely recycle water into gardens and parklands at scale, addressing both urban heat and sustainability challenges in western Sydney.
New report assesses which of London’s properties and neighbourhoods are most vulnerable to heat in the wake of the hottest year ever recorded
Landmark report produced by Arup maps London's heat risk across homes, neighbourhoods and essential properties in the wake of climate change, informing the Mayor of London’s plans for resilience.
One billion people left dangerously exposed to heat stress by gaps in climate monitoring
Climate change is pushing humid heat dangerously close to the upper limits of what people can survive. Parts of the world are on track for conditions beyond the limits of human tolerance. Yet our new research published in One Earth shows poor weather station coverage across the tropics leads to underestimates of heat stress in cities. This means global climate change assessments probably overlook the local impacts on people.
New series of educational videos on climate change and health from the ENBEL project
The ENBEL project has developed a series of short educational videos on climate change and health topics to give more information on how climate change effects our health and what we can do about it. We have aimed to create a tool that can be used for training and introduction to key topics within health and climate change.
Global food production at risk as rising temperatures threaten farmers’ physical ability to work – new study
he research – which brings together Loughborough University, US, and Australian universities – predicts that by the end of the century labour productivity could fall as low as 40% in key food production regions like Pakistan and India.
By the end of the century climate change may have claimed over 2 million lives in European cities, but policies that reduce greenhouse gas emissions could save most of them
Europe, as a collective of diverse nations, faces a formidable adversary in climate change. The heat-related death toll is set to rise significantly if we do not commit to robust mitigation and adaptation strategies. The path ahead is clear—moving forward without strong environmental policies will lead to greater inequality and a significant loss of lives.
Centering Health in a Just Transition – Paving Way for Health-based Climate Actions in Global Climate Negotiations
As the dust settles on the outcomes of the recently held international climate negotiations – the 28th United Nations Conference of Parties (COP28) in Dubai, UAE, a prevailing sentiment of dissatisfaction looms over the global community, echoing the urgency of addressing climate change. The collective efforts and commitments fall short of the immediacy demanded by the escalating climate crisis. However, amid the apparent shortcomings, a significant point emerged—the agreement on a just transition away from fossil fuels. Amid the climate discourse, the term “Just Transition” has taken center stage, representing a commitment to incorporate social justice in the economic and environmental discourse. As we navigate through the aftermath of COP28, it becomes imperative to critically examine the nuances and implications of this phrase – Just Transition, recognizing its potential as a transformative force in shaping an equitable future.
5 breakthroughs on climate and health at COP28 – and what comes next
Health has long been absent from UN climate summits — a major oversight given climate change is already affecting the health of people and communities around the world. The health impacts of climate change range from air pollution to heat waves, infectious diseases, food and water insecurity, mental health, and more. As 2023 shattered climate records, the COP28 UN climate conference in Dubai in December 2023 shined a spotlight on the health impacts of climate change by hosting a dedicated ‘Health Day’, supported by a series of health initiatives to help drive transformational change for health and healthcare.
WMO confirms that 2023 smashes global temperature record
The annual average global temperature approached 1.5° Celsius above pre-industrial levels – symbolic because the Paris Agreement on climate change aims to limit the long-term temperature increase (averaged over decades rather than an individual year like 2023) to no more than 1.5° Celsius above pre-industrial levels. Six leading international datasets used for monitoring global temperatures and consolidated by WMO show that the annual average global temperature was 1.45 ± 0.12 °C above pre-industrial levels (1850-1900) in 2023. Global temperatures in every month between June and December set new monthly records. July and August were the two hottest months on record.
India Takes Action to Address Mounting Heat Risks in Cities
Intense heat waves are becoming more frequent and severe across India, threatening public health, electricity grid reliability, agricultural yields, amongst other impacts. As these heat risks linked to climate change intensify, government leaders are taking steps to improve preparedness through strengthening of of national heat preparedness efforts and city-level Heat Action Plans (HAPs). Drawing lessons from Ahmedabad’s lifesaving HAP, authorities in India are ramping efforts up to improve extreme heat warning systems and emergency response planning.
The need for green and sustainable healthcare amid climate challenges
Each week seems to highlight the critical importance of sustainable healthcare solutions, to ready the service for undeniable changes in our climate. Having recognised the emerging threat and defining its Net Zero target timeline, the NHS is now in a pivotal phase for turning ambition into action
2024 Resolution for OSHA: Propose A Workplace Heat Standard
NRDC and 32 other organizations across the country said as much to the agency in a joint comment letter in December about the small business review. We urged OSHA to stay the course on heat protection measures that have been on worker wish lists for decades—including specific water, shade, rest, training, and emergency response protocols. Here are four other elements OSHA should include in its New Year’s resolution to keep the U.S. workforce healthy and safe from heat.
Digital evidence synthesis tools (DEST) for climate and health: survey
With this survey we aim to get an overview of the various DEST developments, practices and user experiences, which will inform further workshops in the research project. To meet the objectives of this study, in these workshops we will discuss and analyse in depth the main barriers and facilitators to wider uptake of evidence synthesis tools for climate and health, helping us map the needs for DEST use that is currently unmet.
It’s High Time to Protect Farmworkers From Heat-Related Illness and Death
In November, the Senate admitted defeat in the effort to pass a new version of the Farm Bill, and instead passed a stopgap funding measure to maintain the status quo -- until they try again later in 2024 or in 2025opens in a new tab or window. The Farm Bill is a massive piece of legislation that extends beyond farm programs and has far-reaching implications across society, including our food assistance programs. It is typically reauthorized every 5 years.
How the Dire Health Implications of Climate Change Are Unfolding Globally
From our collaborating partner “Living on Earth,” public radio’s environmental news magazine, an interview by producer Aynsley O’Neill with Dr. Vanessa Kerry, the CEO of Seed Global Health and the World Health Organization special envoy for climate change and health. The interview has been edited for length and clarity.
Dying in the Fields as Temperatures Soar
Scores of California farmworkers are dying in the heat in regions with chronically bad air, even in a state with one of the toughest heat standards in the nation.
Living in Heat that Kills
Every summer, up to 600 people die in Miami-Dade County, FL, from extreme heat exposure. This means that roughly 8% of deaths each summer in the area are from illnesses caused or made worse by weather with a heat index of 86°F or higher (the heat index is how hot it feels to the human body when relative humidity is combined with the actual air temperature). To save lives, Miami-Dade County commissioned a NASA-funded study in 2021 that uses the depth and one-of-a-kind perspective of NASA Earth science data along with census and local health department data to determine which communities and people are most or disproportionately at risk for extreme heat illness.
India World Cup underscores climate impact on cricket
The cricket world watched in awe on 7 November as Australia’s Glenn Maxwell made history. While playing Afghanistan during the International Cricket Council (ICC) Men’s Cricket World Cup, the batsman became the first Australian man to achieve a double century in a one-day international match. This is especially impressive considering Maxwell collapsed in the middle of his innings, his body spasming from debilitating muscle cramps.
These are the ways rural Canadians are more vulnerable to climate change
The "Canada in a Changing Climate" synthesis report, released late last week, found among its key conclusions that climate change is harming Canadians' health; the country's aging infrastructure, from buildings to roads to the electrical grid are at high risk from extreme weather from climate change; food and natural resource production is also especially vulnerable to climate change impacts; and Canada isn't doing enough to adapt.
HeatWatch app to be trialled over summer as temperatures soar
With temperatures predicted to soar this summer a University of Sydney team and community partners are piloting HeatWatch, an app to help users calculate their personalised heat health risk.
Universal Health Coverage Day 2023
On Universal Health Coverage (UHC) Day 2023, global partners and communities are marking the campaign under the overall theme of " Health For All: Time for action". In WHO, we're calling for specific actions focused on health systems resilience and here's why: The world is changing in fundamental ways that have profound implications for people’s health and well-being. As countries struggle to emerge from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, they also must confront increasingly complex challenges that threaten humanity’s very existence such as the climate crisis, environmental degradation, unplanned urbanization, new and expanding large-scale conflicts. Against this context, building equitable and resilient health systems is even more crucial to ensure health for all. Yet, progress on UHC has stagnated since 2015 and stalled since the COVID-19 pandemic, and over half of the world’s population is not fully covered by essential health services. On UHC Day, WHO calls on governments to urgently invest in the resilience of health systems to drive progress towards UHC and deliver health for all in a turbulent world. It’s time for action!
Sharing the health benefits of climate solutions can boost public support for change
Highlighting the health relevance of climate change and the health benefits of climate solutions can generate support for climate action, a study from George Mason University researchers has found.
Sydney maps microclimates to combat urban heat
The study will map air temperatures throughout the summer while investigating the thermal performance of assets like trees and parks
Hottest Survivable Temperatures Are Lower Than Expected
A recent paper published in Nature Communications found that the primary methodology to measure deadly heat — called “wet-bulb global temperature” — is inadequate, resulting in artificially low mortality estimates from extreme heat events.
Australia’s silent killer
Welcome to summer. Over the next few months, we’ll endure heatwaves in different parts of the country. Extreme heat can be life-threatening for some people — and not necessarily the ones you expect.
How newborns suffer due to effects of climate change
The far-reaching consequences of climate change are now extending their grip onto the most vulnerable members of our society: newborns and infants. A recent study suggests that rising temperatures associated with climate change may negatively impact breastfeeding, with potential repercussions for infant nutrition and health.
Who’s vulnerable to extreme heat and how can we protect them?
According to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), heatwave events have increased sixfold since the 1980s, driven by the naturally occurring El Nino and exacerbated by human-induced warming from greenhouse gases. Current projections say we’re 1.2oC warmer than pre-industrial levels, and global warming is likely to reach 1.5°C between 2030 and 2052. These extreme heat events are having a disproportionate impact on already vulnerable populations – including pregnant women, newborns, and children.
Heat, Health and GHHIN featured in Sharm El Sheikh Adaptation Agenda
The Global Heat Health Information is proud to have contributed to the development of Outcome 2 of the Sharm El Sheikh Adaptation Agenda, launched this week at COP28.
Hear from Associate Professor of Practice in Planetary Health at Monash, Angie Bone, on her hopes for COP28 here:
Monash is deeply committed to urgent, collective action on climate change. COP28 is a critical moment in this journey and our focus will be on sharing our expertise, influencing policy makers and convening change makers in our shared pursuit of a more sustainable, just world for all.
The Climate and Us – New BBC film series features heat
The Climate and Us is a series of short branded films produced for the the Global Climate and Health Alliance by the BBC StoryWorks Commercial Productions. Divided into three Chapters, the series takes you on a cinematic journey across the world to explore the many ways in which a changing climate is impacting people’s health and wellbeing
Heat and air pollution – a joint threat for health
“It is essential to look at several environmental factors at the same time, they do not affect humans in isolation”, researchers conclude when it comes to the understanding of heat and air pollution.
41 funders, partners endorse new guiding principles for financing climate and health solutions to protect health
Guiding Principles respond to low- and middle-income countries’ calls to mobilize finance to save lives now and in the future as the climate crisis threatens global health.
GCF, UNDP and WHO join forces to ramp up climate health support for developing countries
The Green Climate Fund (GCF), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the World Health Organization (WHO) have launched an ambitious new initiative that will ramp up support for developing countries to mitigate and respond to the impacts of climate change on health in 14 countries in Africa, Asia and Southeastern Europe.
New perspective on limits of survival and liveability in extreme heat
Record-breaking heatwaves made headlines during 2023, raising questions about how humans will survive and function in a warming world. A new study suggests the outlook may be even worse than expected, challenging recommended thresholds for survivability in the heat.
Climate solutions are already in our nature
As the world gets warmer and more greenhouse gases are released, nature’s ability to perform important ecosystem functions – such as sequestering carbon, regulating the Earth’s temperature, and providing clean air and water – is jeopardised.
Heatwaves and The City
Human health stands on the frontline in the face of a warming world surpassing historical rates. Climate change threatens to undo decades of progress in achieving better health and well-being, especially in the most vulnerable communities. A new multi-agency report coordinated by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) highlights that despite scientific knowledge and resources to rebalance this equation, they are not adequately accessible or utilized. This documentary case study offers insight into the impacts of heatwaves on the city of Athens and its residents. It underscores the effectiveness of combining early warning systems in the short term and nature-based solutions in the long term as crucial strategies for adapting to climate change.
The Future of Extreme Heat in Cities: What We Know — and What We Don’t
The past year registered record-shattering global temperatures. People around the world are already witnessing epic heat waves, wildfires and drought at 1.1 degrees C (2 degrees F) of global warming, compared to pre-industrial averages. With current policies putting the world on a trajectory for 2.5 degrees C to 2.9 degrees C (up to 5 degrees F) of warming by 2100, this year’s sweltering heat is just a glimpse of the future ahead.
Some states act to protect residents from extreme heat — with a new focus on young people
After two years of record-breaking heat that brought a surge of deaths and health emergencies, several states have enacted or are considering measures designed to protect residents — with a new focus on younger people whose vulnerability is rising with the temperatures.
Record heat disproportionately hurts communities of color. Unprecedented climate justice federal funding could help
Extreme heat is the No. 1 climate-related cause of death in the U.S. Race and location also matter in determining how much things are heating up. On National Public Radio’s Code Switch, journalist Shereen Marisol Meraji pointed out: “Mother Nature may not discriminate, but people do,” succinctly describing the disproportionate impact of extreme and urban heat on communities of color as a result of federally mandated racist housing policies.
Urban Heat Island Map
New Climate Central analysis shows where urban heat is most intense in 44 major U.S. cities accounting for nearly one-quarter of the U.S. population.
Climate Bulletins
Through our monthly maps, we present the current condition of the climate using key climate change indicators. We also provide analysis of the maps and guidance on how they are produced.
NASA Earth Exchange Global Daily Downscaled Projections (NEX-GDDP-CMIP6)
The NEX-GDDP-CMIP6 dataset is comprised of global downscaled climate scenarios derived from the General Circulation Model (GCM) runs conducted under the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 6 (CMIP6) and across all four “Tier 1” greenhouse gas emissions scenarios known as Shared Socioeconomic Pathways (SSPs). The CMIP6 GCM runs were developed in support of the Sixth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC AR6). This dataset includes downscaled projections from ScenarioMIP model runs for which daily scenarios were produced and distributed through the Earth System Grid Federation. The purpose of this dataset is to provide a set of global, high resolution, bias-corrected climate change projections that can be used to evaluate climate change impacts on processes that are sensitive to finer-scale climate gradients and the effects of local topography on climate conditions.
Launch of the 5th call for short films by the Health for All Film Festival!
The 5th call opens from 1 November 2023 until 31 January 2024. The fifth Health for All Film Festival (HAFF) official selection of about 90 short films will be presented to the public in April 2024 via the WHO YouTube channel and WHO Health for All Film Festival homepage. Winners from this selection will be announced by mid-May 2024. As for each previous edition, we invite public health institutions from around the world, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), communities, activists and students in public health, film schools, and other relevant domains to submit their original short films championing a health issue. Independent filmmakers, production companies, and TV broadcasters are also invited to participate.
Cornell Prof. Mitigates Extreme Urban Heat Island Effect With Trees
Researchers predict that by 2050, the number of days over 90 degrees Fahrenheit in New York City will triple. The world is expected to see a climb in heat-related hospitalizations and emergency department visits — especially in urbanized areas. Prof. Daniel Katz, integrative plant science, has conducted extensive research on how to mitigate extreme heat in urban environments, specifically through increasing tree coverage in cities like New York.
Global Heat Impacts and Solutions Survey
GEO is on a mission to empower cities globally to tackle the health challenges brought on by extreme heat. But we can’t do this without you - share your voice and insights on our Global Heat Impacts and Solutions Survey. Your quick five-minute input can help pave the way toward a cooler planet and mitigate future deadly heat crises.
Heat stress and the European heatwave of 2023
Dr. Claudia Di Napoli of ECMWF looks back at the extreme heat in parts of Europe this summer and describes her work to develop forecasts of heat stress and other weather-related health hazards. ECMWF has been producing a historical dataset of heat stress based on the ERA5 reanalysis. The ERA5-HEAT dataset spans back to the 1940s and provides a gridded record of the Universal Thermal Climate Index (UTCI).
How can we protect pregnant women from rising temperatures?
Dr Gloria Maimela, Director of Climate and Health at Wits RHI in South Africa, outlines the impacts of excessive heat on pregnant women – and shares some of the ways research can provide solutions.
Modeling extreme heat in a changing climate
If it wasn’t clear before the summer of 2023 that climate change is raising temperatures, it better be clear now. This past July broke the record for the hottest month ever measured. And that was before a life-threatening heat dome boiled large swaths of the US Midwest in August. As extreme heat becomes commonplace, people need to know when and where it will occur. But modeling and predicting heat is complicated. Temperature on its own doesn’t tell the whole story. For example, when it’s hot you sweat, and the water evaporates to cool you down. But if there’s too much moisture in the air (high humidity), that cooling effect can stop working. The amounts of sunlight and wind also matter (the former heats you up, and the latter cools you down). These parameters vary from minute to minute. And they vary geographically, often at fine spatial scales, especially within cities where human activity and infrastructure trap heat. We want to help planners and the public navigate this complicated science by producing actionable data that will make it easier to understand the risks. As part of a collaborative project with The Washington Post, we developed a new dataset modeling extreme heat under a changing climate. We built on a foundation of academic work, aiming to combine the best pieces of several existing methods and datasets to produce something new, albeit with several assumptions and approximations. And we’re making all of our data, methods, and code fully public. In this explainer we describe how and why we developed the new dataset, and provide details on our methods, assumptions, and results.
New web app shows heat-attributable mortality in Spain
A new online application calculates daily mortality due to heat in Spain, using methodology is based on the March 2023 paper Heat-attributable Mortality in the Summer of 2022 in Spain The application uses the daily mortality data for Spain from the All-cause Daily Mortality Monitoring System (MoMo) and the average summer temperature (June, July and August) in Spain calculated from the reference stations defined by the Spanish State Meteorological Agency (AEMET).
Medications for chronic diseases affect the body’s ability to regulate body temperature, keep cool
Medications to treat various chronic diseases may hinder the body’s ability to lose heat and regulate its core temperature to optimal levels. The loss of effective thermoregulation has implications for elderly people receiving treatment for illnesses like cancer, cardiovascular, Parkinson’s disease/dementia and diabetes, particularly during hot weather, according to a review by a team of scientists from various institutions in Singapore.
US Launches National Dashboard to Track Heat-Related Illness
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Climate Change and Health Equity (OCCHE), in partnership with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), launched a first-of-its-kind online information portal called the Heat-Related Illness EMS Activation Surveillance Dashboard (“EMS HeatTracker”), which maps emergency medical services responses to heat-related illness across the country. The tracker will help public health officials ensure that outreach and medical aid reach the people who need it most and help decision-makers prioritize community resilience investments.
Experts discuss scaling-up of Heat Early Warning Systems
In February 2023, the Global Heat Health Information Network brought experts from around the world together in Washington DC to discuss the scaling up of Heat Health Early Warning Systems, in line with the targets of the global Early Warning Systems for All initiative. This report contains insights, recommendations, and best practices emerging from the discussion, highlighting the importance of collective action to protect vulnerable populations from the impacts of heatwaves.
The Power of Fans: Study finds simple way to slash AC costs without compromising comfort
A recent study has found that individuals can enjoy the same level of personal cooling while significantly reducing both their energy bills and their carbon footprint - simply by raising their AC’s temperature and turning on a fan.
Creating Cool and Resilient Communities: Integrating Plans for Urban Heat Mitigation
A new guide developed with support from the U.S. NOAA Climate Program Office’s Extreme Heat Risk Initiative presents policy makers with how-to guidance on integrating their plans for the purpose of mitigating urban heat hazard in the built environment.
Climate change made record breaking early season heat in Argentina and Paraguay about 60 times more likely
A large area centred around the central-northern part of Argentina, and also southern Bolivia, central Chile, and most of Paraguay and Uruguay, experienced record-breaking temperatures during two consecutive heatwaves in late November and early December 2022.
Pilot project builds equitable response to extreme heat in four cities
NOAA and partners in Las Vegas, Phoenix, Miami, and Charleston, South Carolina are launching an 18-month project to help communities pinpoint local impacts of extreme heat. The pilot project, “Building Equitable Resilience to Extreme Heat,” will support state and local initiatives designed to reduce the negative health effects of extreme heat events, especially for disproportionately affected populations.
WMO urges caution in naming heatwaves
The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) plays a central role in the global coordination of the naming of extreme weather events. At SERCOM-2 (Oct 2022), WMO Members considered the practice of naming heatwaves, and expressed caution in adopting or promoting this practice.
Hazard Planners Aren’t Planning for Heat Hazards in Parts of United States
The main takeaway of a new NRDC analysis of how states in the southeastern United States address extreme heat in their federally mandated hazard mitigation plans (HMPs) indicates that extreme heat does not get the attention it deserves from state programs charged with reducing risks from natural hazards.
Advancing Global Heat Resilience & Climate-Friendly Cooling
At a COP 27 side event today, leading international voices underscored the dangers of extreme heat worldwide and offered a range of climate-friendly cooling solutions that can keep people safe without making the climate problem itself even worse.
2022 Lancet Countdown on Climate Change and Health Released
Vulnerable populations – the elderly and children under 1 year of age - faced 3.7 billion more life-threatening heatwave days in 2021 than annually in 1986-2005, putting them at acute risk of heat stress, heat stroke, and other adverse physical and mental health manifestations. The 2022 Report tracks the relationship between health and climate change across five key domains and 43 indicators, revealing that the world is at a critical juncture.
New Report from UNICEF – Protecting Children from the Escalating Impacts of Heatwaves
Already, around 559 million children are exposed to high heatwave frequency and around 624 million children are exposed to one of three other high heat measures - high heatwave duration, high heatwave severity or extreme high temperatures. The report provides yet more evidence that children are on the front lines of the climate crisis.
The Impact of Heat Waves and Heat Action Plans in South Asia
Heat waves have become a global phenomenon, but in South Asia the situation is worsening due to climate change. Rohit Magotra (GHHIN contributor and SAHHIN lead) describes the silent climate disaster and the importance of heat action plans in India and beyond.
Heatwaves account for some of the deadliest disasters and are intensifying: warn OCHA, IFRC
Released a month ahead of the 27th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP 27), Extreme Heat: Preparing for the heatwaves of the future says that, with climate change making heatwaves ever more dangerous, aggressive steps must be taken now to avert potentially recurrent heat disasters.
New project to support decision-making to protect people from indoor heat health risks
A new project will synthesize evidence and support decision-making to protect people from overheating in indoor environments.
How India’s lattice buildings cool without air con
For centuries, India’s architecture featured intricate lattice structures. Now, as modern architects search for better ways to keep buildings cool, it’s making a comeback.
California Lessons for Federal & State Workplace Heat Rules
California’s recent record-breaking heat was particularly brutal for the workers who walk for miles, lift heavy loads, sweat in oppressively hot uniforms, and endure bosses who care more for their profits than their people. School cafeteria workers, farmworkers, delivery drivers, and others across the state experienced unhealthy temperatures that left them faint, in the hospital, or worse. These are just a few examples of the kind of preventable harm workers face every year from heat. But they’re particularly infuriating coming from California, which is one of only five states in the country with workplace heat stress protections. What’s going wrong?
Air conditioning has a climate problem. New technology could help
Last week, Californians got a reminder of one of the most vexing paradoxes of global warming. With temperatures well over 110 degrees Fahrenheit in some regions on Tuesday night, hundreds of thousands of the state’s residents received beeping text alerts to notify them that the power grid, straining under the weight of millions of air-conditioning units, was about to collapse. Save power now, the text warned, or face rolling blackouts.
Climate change: More studies needed on possibility of human extinction
Catastrophic climate change outcomes, including human extinction, are not being taken seriously enough by scientists, a new study says.
New podcast series ‘Rethinking Heat in the City’
The Karachi Urban Lab’s new podcast series Rethinking Heat in the City is now out with its first episode – Beyond Heatwaves. In this episode, Dr Elspeth Oppermann emphasises the increasing urgency of discussing urban heat and its differential impact on urban dwellers.
China heatwave: Sichuan residents flee heatwaves and power cuts underground
Residents in China's southwestern provinces are taking creative measures to deal with a record heat wave that has seen temperatures exceed 40C(104F).
Extreme weather in China highlights climate change impacts and need for early warnings
Extreme weather – record-breaking heatwaves, severe drought, and deadly rainfall – have battered China since June. The summer of extremes – in China as in Europe – has underlined the importance of the WMO community’s commitment to Early Warning and Early Action and reinforced the need for the ongoing campaign to provide Early Warnings for All in the next five years.
Helping cities adapt to higher temperatures
The team behind LIFE ASTI designed a set of urban heat island (UHI) forecasting systems to help three Mediterranean cities cope when the heat is on.
New tool for health checks during extreme heat events
New resource from Canada guides non-experts on conducting in-person and remote health checks during extreme heat events. Available in English, French and coming soon in simplified Chinese and Punjabi.
US Inflation Reduction Act supports more equitable access to indoor cooling
The groundbreaking Inflation Reduction Act, which President Biden just signed into law, contains several provisions that will support clean, affordable residential cooling.
Cool Roofs Can Help Offset Rising Energy Demand in India
As climate change intensifies around the globe, Indians are facing life-threatening heat with increasing frequency. Scientists estimate that moderately and extremely hot temperatures caused nearly 47,000 premature deaths in India in 2015.
New checklist guides non-experts through health checks during extreme heat events
Extreme heat events affect different people in different ways, and some people are at higher risk of experiencing heat-related illness if they do not have air conditioning. One way to reduce the public health impacts of extreme heat events is to check in regularly with susceptible people to see how they are coping. However, not everyone knows who is at most risk, how to recognize heat-related illness, or what to do in risky situations. This tool from the NCCEH was designed to help support people doing heat checks by providing all they key information and guidance in a 5-page package. This tool has been co-developed with Dr. Glen Kenny and his heat stress research group at the University of Ottawa.
“Heatwaves create difficulties for breastfeeding” – Tajikistan steps up for babies’ health
A country with hot summers and vast rural areas, Tajikistan has had to fine-tune its approach to promoting breastfeeding and protecting infants’ health. WHO highlights the country’s experience during World Breastfeeding Week 2022 (1–7 August).
Why more heatwaves endanger our health and ability to work
Exposure to high temperatures combined with physical activity can lead to physiological problems that affect the ability to work.
Two Heart Medications Tied to Greater Heart Attack Risk During Very Hot Weather
For people with coronary heart disease, beta-blockers can improve survival and quality of life, while aspirin and other antiplatelet medications can reduce the risk of a heart attack.
BBC Series Explores Life at 50°C
What is life like on the climate change frontline? For the millions of people who have to live with extreme levels of heat day in and day out? Life at 50 Degrees is a new six part BBC series which explores the impact of climate change on people across the globe.
Opinion: Can Humanity Handle the Heat?
Recent record temperatures of more than 40º Celsius in the United Kingdom, and outbreaks of wildfires in several European countries, again highlight the challenges posed by ongoing climate change. The need for robust, scalable systems to counter extreme heat is clear – but developing and implementing them will require political will as well as technological innovation.
How changes in thermal stress will impact lives in the future
Building on historical climate data and future climate projections, the Thermal Stress Story Hub carries users on an interactive journey to understand how thermal stress will evolve in the future and impact lives around the world. Currently under development, the Story Hub consists of interactive maps and dynamic stories to support users to understand how thermal stress will impact their lives. The stories provide data from 1979 to the present day and offer projections up to the year 2100, under the RCP 8.5 global warming scenario.
Series: Work at 45°C in India
SELCO Foundation presents a five part series exploring the linkages between Built Environments and Quality of Livelihoods for marginalised communities and workers in India.
US launches Heat.gov with tools for communities facing extreme heat
The interagency National Integrated Heat Health Information System (NIHHIS) has launched Heat.gov, a new website to provide the public and decision-makers with clear, timely and science-based information to understand and reduce the health risks of extreme heat. Heat.gov will provide a one-stop hub on heat and health for the nation and is a priority of President Biden’s National Climate Task Force and its Interagency Working Group on Extreme Heat.
Living Through India’s Next-Level Heat Wave
In hospitals, in schools, and on the streets, high temperatures have transformed routines and made daylight dangerous.
New Report: A milestone in UK climate history
A new event summary from the Met Office shows that the UK’s recent extreme heat was far more intense and widespread than previous comparable heatwaves. This was the first time 40°C has been recorded in the UK.
UK heatwave piles further pressure on stretched NHS services
NHS leaders have urged the government to provide resources to improve buildings and infrastructure after many trusts were forced to cancel appointments and change their working patterns in response to the heatwave that has gripped the UK this week.
WMO has no immediate plans to name heatwaves
WMO is aware of current interest in developing heatwave ranking and naming systems. As the UN specialized agency responsible for weather, climate and water, the WMO exercises a leadership role in coordinating globally recognized extreme weather naming conventions. The WMO Services Commission is therefore currently considering the advantages and disadvantages of naming heatwaves.
UK heatwave: Extreme heat an increasing threat to health without rapid transition away from fossil fuels
The extreme heat in the UK and across Europe is threatening peoples’ health, warn health organisations today. Heat vulnerability in the UK has been steadily rising, with an ageing population and increase in underlying health conditions, and without adequate measures to adapt heat-related deaths are expected to rise to around 7,000 each year by the 2050s.
Activation of EAP for Heatwaves in southern Kyrgyzstan: 2,100 households to be protected from extreme heat
The Early Action Protocol (EAP) for Heatwaves of the Kyrgyzstan Red Crescent was triggered on 17 July 2022, based on an official bulletin from Kyrgyzhydromet, the local meteorological office. A 7-day forecast (18-24 July 2022) had indicated that temperatures in Osh, Jalal-Abad and Batken provinces in southern Kyrgyzstan would exceed critical thresholds for 3 and more consecutive days, starting from 22 July 2022. Upon declaring that pre-agreed critical thresholds had been reached, IFRC released approximately 200,000 euros from its Disaster Response Emergency Fund (DREF) to the Kyrgyzstan Red Crescent to immediately launch a heat wave awareness-raising campaign and provide life-saving advice to the general public.
WMO-WHO Joint Press Conference on Heatwave in Europe
“In the future, these kind of heatwaves are going to be normal. We will see stronger extremes. We have pumped so much carbon dioxide in the atmosphere that the negative trend will continue for decades. We haven’t been able to reduce our emissions globally” said Petteri Taalas, WMO Secretary-General.
Heat-related deaths top 1,100 in Spain, Portugal amid heat wave and wildfires
During the record-breaking heat wave in Western Europe, Spain and Portugal have reported at least 1,169 heat-related deaths, according to each country's ministry of health.
Heat Action Day Raises Awareness of Heat Risk Across the Globe
Heat Action Day 2022 on June 14th was organized by the IFRC, Red Cross Red Crescent Climate Centre and Global Disaster Preparedness Center. Around the world National Societies and other organizations joined to raise awareness of extreme heat! Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies performed coordinated heat wave flash mobs in public spaces to raise awareness of heat risks and share simple ways to #BeatTheHeat. In addition to National Societies, the European Emergency Circle, African News Agency, Beyond Plastic Nigeria, Punjab University, Christian Fellowship and Care Foundation, and Kathmandu University Youth Red Cross Circle organized heat wave flash mobs around the world.
New Heat and Health Research Incubator
Professor Ollie Jay (GHHIN Management Committee member) and Associate Professor Ying Zhang (Deputy Director) from the University of Sydney have launched a multidisciplinary initiative dedicated to developing evidence-based solutions for the health impacts of extreme heat & hot weather, as we learn to adapt to a hotter world.
Strengthening Preparedness for Extreme Heat in India
Nodal officers from all 36 Indian states came together June 9-10 in Ahmedabad, Gujarat State, to share knowledge on heat and public health and learn first hand about Ahmedabad’s pioneering heat action plan. The workshop was organized by Government of India’s National Programme on Climate Change and Human Health, the Indian Institute of Public Health Gandhinagar, United Nations Environment Program, Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation, Government of Gujarat, and the Natural Resources Defense Council. Good practices for addressing extreme heat at the municipal level were discussed by over 100 local elected representatives, civil society leaders, and local residents at a workshop June 3rd in Jodhpur. The event, hosted by Mahila Housing Trust and the Natural Resources Defense Council focused on identifying local opportunities to strengthen preparedness and response to extreme heat. The city of Jodhpur is working to develop its own heat action plan, cool roof installations, and other adaptation measures that can achieve lifesaving benefits.
WHO Health and Climate Change Urban Profiles
As part of the WHO monitoring programme on health and climate change, WHO launched the Health and Climate Change Urban Profiles involving six pilot cities.
What is a Heat Dome? An atmospheric scientist explains the weather phenomenon
A heat dome occurs when a persistent region of high pressure traps heat over an area. The heat dome can stretch over several states and linger for days to weeks, leaving the people, crops and animals below to suffer through stagnant, hot air that can feel like an oven.
New Map Tracks State Heat Protections for Workers
A new map released today and produced by NRDC tracks efforts to establish state-level heat safeguards while workers wait for federal ones.
Red Cross / GHHIN Heat Research Awardees Announced
The Global Disaster Preparedness Center of the American Red Cross, the Red Cross Red Crescent Climate Centre, and the Global Heat Health Information Network (GHHIN), launched this research grant program, which aims to increase knowledge on heatwaves and their impact on people, especially in low and middle-income countries. In total there are 15 awardees from 12 countries.
New US Climate and Health Outlook
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Office of Climate Change and Health Equity (OCCHE) launched the first installment of a new public information series called the Climate and Health Outlook (Outlook). This new Outlook series connects weather forecasts to health resources to create actionable data that saves lives and reduces illness and health risks associated with climate-related hazards like extreme heat.
New Heat Action Platform
The Adrienne Arsht-Rockefeller Foundation Resilience Center and the Extreme Heat Resilience Alliance in collaboration with partner has developed the Heat Action Platform, a living, engagement-oriented tool for city officials, practitioners, and financial institutions to find guidance, both existing resources and tailor-made solutions, on reducing the human and economic impacts of extreme heat at the regional or municipal level.
India and Pakistan act to save lives from extreme heat
Extreme heat is gripping large parts of India and Pakistan, impacting hundreds of millions of people in one of the most densely populated parts of the world. The national meteorological and hydrological departments in both countries are working closely with health and disaster management agencies to roll out heat health action plans which have been successful in saving lives in the past few years.
Heat wave in India leaves millions struggling to cope
India's weather department has issued a severe heatwave warning as temperatures soar, throwing millions of lives and livelihoods out of gear.
HAP To Quantify Heat Stroke Victims
The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation has reached out to all public and private sector health facilities in the city to urge them to report on cases and deaths due to heat-related ailments and heat stroke.
Global heat health network announces new Management Committee and Work Plan
The Global Heat Health Information Network (GHHIN) Management Committee has welcomed seven new expert members from Australia, Canada, France, India, Senegal, Singapore, and the United States. These members will contribute to the Networks efforts to protect populations from the avoidable health risks of extreme heat in our changing climate.
UN Unveils Ambitious Target for Early Warning Systems
Within the next five years, everyone on Earth should be protected by early warning systems against increasingly extreme weather and climate change according to an ambitious new United Nations target announced on World Meteorological Day (March 23rd). UN Secretary-General António Guterres has tasked the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) to lead the effort and present an action plan to achieve this goal at the next UN climate conference in Egypt this November
NUS scientists to study construction workers’ risk of heat stress
SINGAPORE - Scientists here will start a new study into how susceptible construction workers are to heat stress at their worksites and dormitories next month.
10 Key Heat Health Messages from the IPCC AR6 Report
The Working Group II contribution to the IPCC’s Sixth Assessment Report - AR6 Climate Change 2022: Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability - released 28 February 2022, includes important messages about the current and future impacts of extreme heat on human health. In advance of the release of the Global Health Health Information Network’s synthesis report on "Climate Change, Heat, and Human Health" from the AR6, let’s take a quick look at the top 10 AR6 heat health messages.
America’s hottest city is nearly unlivable in summer. Can cooling technologies save it?
A surge in heat-related deaths amid record-breaking summer temperatures offers a “glimpse into the future” and a stark warning that one of America’s largest cities is already unlivable for some, according to its new heat tsar.
What drove Perth’s record-smashing heatwave – and why it’s a taste of things to come
Perth smashed its previous heatwave records last week, after sweltering through six days in a row over 40℃ – and 11 days over 40℃ this summer so far. On top of that, Perth has suffered widespread power outages and a bushfire in the city’s north.
Africa’s First Heat Officer Faces a Daunting Task
In the capital of Sierra Leone, crowding and poverty complicate efforts to protect a city of 1.2 million from the effects of climate change.
Call for Proposals for Research Grants on Extreme Heat
Ten research grants will be awarded for 10,000USD or less and to be completed by the 1st of September 2022 or sooner. It should be noted that the research is expected to be original and any plagiarism will disqualify the applicants from benefiting from the grant at any point in the research process.
Global heating linked to early birth and damage to babies’ health, scientists find
Exclusive: Studies show high temperatures and air pollution during pregnancy can cause lifelong health effects
Peer-reviewed Study Finds Extreme Heat Could Threaten $55.4 Billion Annually in Outdoor Worker Earnings by Midcentury
Nation, States Lack Mandatory Standards to Keep Workers Safe as Extreme Heat Days Expected to Quadruple
UArizona “cool pavement” program aims to beat Tucson’s extreme heat
Starting Wednesday, crews with the City of Tucson will be applying a solar-reflective surface treatment designed to reduce roadway temperatures and neutralize vehicle emissions. It's to help with the effects of urban heat islands.
Addressing Heat and Air Quality in Phoenix
Equitably building cool, healthy and climate-resilient cities.
Winter heatwave breaks records in four US states
Wednesday brings hottest December weather on record for Montana, Wyoming, Washington state and North Dakota
Extreme Heat May Affect Young and Middle-Aged Adults More Than Older Adults
Extreme heat—a leading cause of weather-related deaths in the United States—poses an increasing threat to the public, as days of extreme heat are expected to become more frequent, more intense, and longer-lasting due to the continued effects of climate change. Although the adverse health impacts of heat have been well documented among older adults, less is known about the potential impacts of heat on young and middle-aged adults.
What has COP26 achieved for health?
The health community delivers the health argument for climate action at COP26.
Deadly Heat Is Baking Cities. Here’s How to Cool Them Down
Urban areas can be 20 degrees hotter than the surrounding country. But green spaces and reflective pavement can make city life more bearable.
How Scientists Know That Climate Change Juices Heat Waves
Everyone gathered in Glasgow for the COP26 climate conference is aware that the world is heating up and human activity is responsible—but how much of an individual weather event can be attributed to climate change?
UN issues new guidance to address warming in cities
The UN Environment Programme (UNEP) today published detailed guidance to help the world’s cities address warming, which is occurring at twice the global average rate in urban areas.
Too hot to handle: can our bodies withstand global heating?
Extreme heat can kill or cause long-term health problems – but for many unendurable temperatures are the new normal
Seventy-Two Hours Under the Heat Dome
Residents and city officials from the region described their experiences during this period of record breaking temperatures that led to the deaths of at least 96 people in Oregon.
How to protect yourself and your loved ones from extreme heat
With climate change triggering increasingly severe heat, Californians will need to prepare themselves for temperature extremes just as they do for earthquakes and other disasters. What do you need to know about heat-related illnesses? How can you identify, treat and prevent them?
Comment: Deploy heat officers, policies and metrics
Cities need heat governance to plan for extreme temperatures and protect those most at risk.
Stories from People with Disabilities During Canada’s Extreme Heatwave
When temperatures in British Columbia, Canada, soared to nearly 50 degrees Celsius/122 degrees Fahrenheit this past summer, people with disabilities and older people were left unprotected. Hundreds of older people died. Heatwaves are expected to become more frequent and more intense because of climate change and authorities have been slow to respond and protect at-risk populations in the province. Human Rights Watch spoke with 17 people who all said that this past summer’s heat affected their physical and mental health – and some feared for their lives. Here are a few of their stories.
Biden administration to write workplace safety rule tackling heat stress
The Biden administration announced Monday that it will begin crafting a standard to protect workers from heat as the federal government wrestles with a growing public health threat exacerbated by climate change.
Workplace Heat Protections Across the Globe
People are facing an increased risk of heat-related illnesses and injuries while on the job as the climate crisis drives temperatures higher and makes heat waves more severe. As these risks increase, so must protections to keep them safe. Solutions that protect workers from heat already exist and several countries have mandatory policies to ensure employers provide workers with heat-relieving measures.
Heat Expert to Lead City’s New Heat Response & Mitigation Office
Phoenix has announced an ASU Environmental Sciences Professor will lead a first of its kind Office of Heat Response and Mitigation. ASU Associate Professor David Hondula will lead the office approved by the Phoenix City Council as part of the 2021-22 budget. The Office of Heat Response & Mitigation will establish a strategic action plan to address the growing hazard of urban heat, which threatens the City's economic viability and health and well-being of vulnerable residents.
Reviewing the summer of extreme weather in 2021
From heatwaves and hurricanes in the US to flooding in Europe and China, the weather over recent months has frequently hit the headlines.
Summer Is Hot, but This Is Abnormal
Scorching weather has far outstripped old expectations, but many Americans still have trouble seeing high temperatures as a distinct hazard.
Biden administration, workers grapple with health threats posed by climate change and heat
The Labor Department is looking at new regulations while workers, particularly in the West, suffer through a brutal summer.
The ‘wet bulb’ warning
Extreme heat is less spectacularly violent than an earthquake or hurricane, but from 2015 to 2019 it killed more people than any other weather hazard. Last month's blistering heat waves in the US Pacific Northwest and Western Canada left hundreds of people dead, as these normally temperate regions grappled with record-breaking temperatures. With just over 100 days to go until the COP26 United Nations Climate Change Conference, these incidents are a tragic reminder that adapting to an increasingly hostile climate is as urgent as ever.
‘We’re not animals, we’re human beings’: US farm workers labor in deadly heat with few protections
Advocates want Osha to issue federal heat standards, requiring water, shade and rest breaks.
France: Evolving heat waves characteristics challenge heat warning systems and prevention plans
Health effects of heat exposure, whether in terms of morbidity and mortality, are now widely described. In Europe, the 2003 heat wave resulted in 70,000 additional deaths, including 14,800 during the first 15 days of August in France alone..
Work Injuries Tied to Heat Are Vastly Undercounted, Study Finds
New data underline how heat waves can hurt people, especially the poorest workers, in unexpected ways.
Deadly heat: how rising temperatures threaten workers from Nicaragua to Nepal
As scorching temperatures spread, the search for ways to protect against heat stress is becoming ever more urgent.
IFRC warns human-caused climate change made record-breaking heatwave 150 times more likely, putting lives at risk
Recent rocketing temperatures are having a severe impact on millions of people and putting lives at risk, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) has warned.
Extreme temperatures kill 5 million people a year with heat-related deaths rising, study finds
More people died of cold than heat in past 20 years but climate change is shifting the balance.
OPINION: Cities must plan for heat resilience now
Shocking heatwaves in the U.S. Pacific Northwest and Canada show preparation for climate-driven extreme heat needs work - fast
Iraq’s power cuts show privilege of staying cool in a heatwave
As temperatures rise in Iraq, well-off residents can afford generators that crank into action when the national grid falters but others struggle to cope.
As the Climate Emergency Grows, Farmworkers Lack Protection from Deadly Heat
Two new reports draw attention to the scant laws safeguarding farmworkers’ health, including from worsening extreme heat.
UK Met Office to introduce new extreme heat warning
A key priority of the Met Office is to continuously evolve and improve the quality and delivery of the NSWWS, to meet the needs of the UK. From the 1 June, in consultation with Public Health England (PHE), the Devolved Administrations (and their health agencies) and other key stakeholders, we are introducing an Extreme Heat Warning into the NSWWS. The purpose of the extreme heat warning is to increase awareness of the negative impacts of heat on health, infrastructure, and other services for the public across the UK to enable better preparedness to maintain life, wellbeing, property, and livelihoods.