Mastodon

Study also finds high humidity means people in hundreds of cities are enduring their worst ever heat stress

Analysis of six extreme heatwaves found when temperature and humidity were accounted for, all were potentially deadly for older people

Heat caused 2,300 deaths across 12 cities, of which 1,500 were down to climate crisis, scientists say

Extreme heat ‘the new normal’, says UN chief, as authorities across the continent issue health warnings

Climate change deaths are largely underreported as the crisis impacts millions and strains an already overburdened healthcare system, according to a new Amnesty International report.

Temperatures south Asians dread each year arrive early as experts talk of ever shorter transition to summer-like heat

For hundreds of millions of people living in India and Pakistan the early arrival of summer heatwaves has become a terrifying reality that’s testing survivability limits and putting enormous strain on energy supplies, vital crops and livelihoods. Both countries experience heatwaves during the summer months of May and June, but this year’s heatwave season has arrived sooner than usual and is predicted to last longer too. Temperatures are expected to climb to dangerous levels in both countries this week.

Heatwaves can lead to considerable impacts on societal and natural systems. Accurate simulation of their response to warming is important for adaptation to potential climate futures. Here, we quantify changes of extreme temperatures worldwide over recent decades. We find an emergence of hotspots where the hottest temperatures are warming significantly faster than more moderate temperatures. In these regions, trends are largely underestimated in climate model simulations. Globally aggregated, we find that models struggle with both ends of the trend distribution, with positive trends being underestimated most, while moderate trends are well reproduced. Our findings highlight the need to better understand and model extreme heat and to rapidly mitigate greenhouse gas emissions to avoid further harm.

Greece, Italy, Spain, Portugal, France and Morocco experienced extreme heat in July 2024, causing at least 23 fatalities, widespread wildfires and bringing public life to a hold.

Temperatures reach 45C in parts of the country and 225 people seek treatment for heatstroke