1029. Extreme Heat Due to Climate Change

On May 28, Climate Central, World Weather Attribution, and the Red Cross Red Crescent Climate Centre jointly published a report assessing the influence of dangerous heatwaves over the past 12 months (from May 15, 2023 to May 15, 2024). It reported that human-caused climate change has led to dangerous extreme heatwaves, endangering the health of billions of people.

According to the report, over the past 12 months, 6.3 billion people, or 78% of the world's population, have experienced at least 31 days of unusual heatwaves, including heat above the 90% level of temperature observed in the region during the 1991-2020 period. Such heat waves are about twice as likely to occur due to human-caused climate change.

The report also estimated that in the past 12 months, there has been an average increase of 26 days in global climate change-induced extreme heatwaves compared to no warming.

On May 29, observation points in New Delhi, the capital of India, recorded their highest temperatures ever, ranging between 45.2 and 49.1°C (an exceptional record of 52.9°C was reported at one observation point, and the Indian Meteorological Department is investigating the data).  This underscores the urgency of research on climate change and the impact of heatwaves, and demonstrates the importance of research that monitors and evaluates heatwaves and presents viable solutions to mitigate the risks associated with extreme heat.

Contributor: IIYAMA Miyuki, Information Program