The heat waves are meteorological phenomena that have become increasingly common in the modern world, and their frequency is destined to increase in the future as the average global temperature continues to rise. We remember the heat wave of 2003 in Europe, which resulted in the tragic death of 11.435 people in France only, according to data from the National Institute of Statistics. To learn more about how climate change has intensified phenomena like this, see the article on linking extreme weather to global warming.
According to a recent report, currently, a 30% of the world's population is exposed to potentially lethal heat waves for at least 20 days a year or more. However, if effective measures are not taken to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, by the year 2100 This figure could rise to an alarming 74%, as indicated by a study conducted by the University of Hawaii (Manoa, USA) and published in the journal Nature Climate Change. To learn more about this trend, you can read about continuous weeks of temperature records.
Researchers used several climate scenarios proposed by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) to create a Interactive map which shows the associated risks. These projections are based on what are known as Representative Concentration Pathways (RCPs), and reflect different emission levels over time. In this context, it is relevant to analyze how heat waves are affecting different regions, as discussed in the article on the heat wave in Siberia.
According to the RCP 2.6 scenario, where emissions remain stable, in the year 2050 It is estimated that places like Panama will experience 195 days of lethal heat per year, while Bangkok (Thailand) will have 173 days and in Caracas (Venezuela) there will be 55 days from extreme heat. On the other hand, if emissions increase (RCP 4.5 scenario), it is projected that by the end of the century cities like Malaga in Spain could have 56 days of dangerous heat waves, which are believed to become more frequent, as mentioned in this article on deadly heat wavesFor more information on heat waves in Spain, visit Spain, the most affected country.
The sad fact is that even if countries implement measures to reduce environmental pollution, Deaths due to excessive heat will continue to occurThe combination of extreme heat and high humidity poses a significant danger, as the human body has difficulty regulating its temperature. When humidity is high, sweat doesn't evaporate properly, preventing the body from cooling effectively. To learn more about how heat affects different living beings, we recommend reading the article on how heat affects animals.
To read the full study, you can access the following link here.
Global Impact of Heat Waves
It is essential to understand that heat waves are not an isolated phenomenon; they represent a growing risk not only to public health, but also to the economy and infrastructure. In 2017, it was revealed that up to 30% of the world's population is already facing lethal heat conditions. However, this number could increase significantly if current greenhouse gas emission trends continue. In this context, it is also relevant to mention the temperature records in history in Spain.
El University of Hawaii study analyzed more than 30,000 publications to find data on 1,949 case studies related to deaths from high temperatures. This analysis revealed that lethal heat waves have had a devastating impact in various parts of the world, resulting in fatalities in 60 different regions annually. It's important to note that these heat waves are becoming more common, as indicated by records related to .
Notable examples include the heat wave of 2010 in Moscow, where at least 10,000 people lost their lives, and the heat wave of Chicago in 1995, which resulted in 700 deaths. More recently, in 2023, heat-related deaths have been reported in India and Pakistan due to record temperatures that reached up to 53.5 degrees CelsiusFor another example of extreme conditions, you can read about a new heat wave in several provinces.
The Dangers of Heat and Humidity
The combination of heat and humidity is particularly harmful. The human body can function properly within a body temperature range of 37 to 38 degrees Celsius. However, when body temperature rises due to extreme weather conditions, all essential cellular mechanisms begin to fail. Evidence suggests that body temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius They are extremely dangerous and require immediate medical attention. Added to this is the impact on animals, which can be explored in the article on .
The heat index, which combines temperature and humidity, is used to measure the impact on the human body. If this index reaches the 40 degrees Celsius, people begin to experience adverse effects as the body warms due to ambient temperatures. This is even more critical in the humid tropics, where even slight increases in temperature or humidity can have fatal consequences. As extreme weather events become more common, awareness of its risks It becomes essential, especially for vulnerable populations.
- Deadly heat waves have been responsible for thousands of deaths worldwide in recent years.
- It is estimated that by 2100, up to 74% of the world's population could be exposed to these extreme conditions.
- Tropical regions are the most vulnerable to heat waves, with increased risks of mortality.
- High mortality rates have been concentrated in vulnerable groups such as the elderly and people with pre-existing conditions.
Future Scenarios and Alternatives
Future scenarios regarding heat waves could be alarming. As greenhouse gas emissions continue to rise, the number of annual days of extreme heat and high temperatures will continue to increase. However, alternatives that can mitigate these effects have been studied, such as:
- Reducing the use of fossil fuels and transitioning to renewable energy.
- Improvements in urban planning to create more sustainable cities that are less vulnerable to heat waves.
- Investments in green infrastructure that help regulate temperature and improve air quality.
- Raise awareness of climate change and the importance of emissions reduction among the general population.
The predictions are alarming: for example, extreme heat events are expected to occur more frequently in regions such as North America and Europe. Meanwhile, in tropical areas, deadly heat waves are expected to become commonplace, representing a significant extreme challenge to public health. To delve deeper into this topic, consider reading about the effects of climate change in the futureIt is also interesting to see how climate change has affected the Tasman Sea with significant increases in temperature, which is detailed in climate change in Tasmania.
Moreover, the international authorities must work together to establish effective policies that address climate change and its consequences. Projections indicate that, without drastic decisions, climate conditions will become increasingly dangerous and difficult to reverse. Alarmingly, even with significant emissions reductions, the percentage of the world's population exposed to deadly heat waves is estimated to reach at least 100 million. 48%. This makes evident the need to take urgent measures and effective measures to protect our communities and mitigate this growing risk.
