The climate crisis on Earth has caused several additional weeks to months of dangerous heat for humans this year. There may be more victims of the arid climate than expected.
According to the analysis of World Weather Attribution (WWA) and Climate Central, the residents of the Caribbean and Pacific island states have suffered the most. They experienced about 150 extra hot days.
Almost half of the planet’s countries experienced at least two months of extreme temperatures. Even in the United Kingdom, the United States, and Australia, which suffered the least, temperatures have risen due to carbon pollution from fossil fuel burning.
According to forecasts, 2024 will be the hottest year on record.
Scientists have identified the days of heat that are dangerous for humans and calculated the threshold temperature for 10% of them that can harm health. The study covered 1991-2020. The results were compared with the figures for 2024. It turned out that, on average, a person experienced extreme heat for an additional 41 days.
Indonesia, Singapore, and Central African residents experienced 122 days of extreme heat. People in Saudi Arabia experienced 70 additional hot days. Brazil and Bangladesh – 50, Spain, Norway, and the Balkan countries – about 30 days.
Extreme temperatures also affect natural disasters. Experts say hurricanes Beryl and Milton would have been less powerful without anthropogenic climate change.