Research indicates that if global warming reaches 2 degrees Celsius, extreme heat could threaten younger people across areas as large as the United States. Vulnerable populations in North Africa and South Asia face the greatest risks. Findings reveal significant increases in unsafe temperatures, necessitating global action to avert catastrophic health consequences.
Scientists have issued a warning that extreme heat levels could endanger young people across a vast area equivalent to the size of the United States if global warming reaches 2 degrees Celsius. Research published in the journal Nature Reviews Earth and Environment indicates that climate change is intensifying deadly heatwaves, which could overwhelm the human body’s ability to cope with high temperatures.
The study examined the implications of rising temperatures on human health, revealing that the regions most at risk are North Africa and South Asia. Between 1994 and 2023, unsafe heat and humidity levels impacted approximately 2% of land area for individuals under 60, while this figure rose to 20% for the elderly.
Lead author Tom Matthews emphasized the lethal consequences of allowing global temperatures to rise 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. With this increase, unsafe land areas for younger individuals could triple to approximately 6%, and a third of the planet could pose risks for the elderly. Unsurvivable heat conditions may soon affect younger individuals in already hot regions due to global warming.
Matthews explained that prolonged exposure to extreme heat, even in shaded or breezy conditions, could result in fatal heatstroke. Heat stress manifests when the body’s cooling mechanisms fail, leading to severe symptoms and potential organ failure.
Europe has suffered significant heatwave casualties, with over 70,000 deaths recorded in 2003, followed by 60,000 in 2022 and more than 47,000 in 2023. Rising temperatures have also caused fatalities in Asia, with substantial death tolls during heatwaves in India and Pakistan in 2015.
The World Health Organization estimates that heat claims at least half a million lives annually, though the actual figure may be much higher due to incomplete data, especially in regions like Africa, where heat-related deaths are often underreported.
The article discusses the alarming effects of climate change, particularly how rising global temperatures are leading to increasingly dangerous heat levels. The research highlights the implications for human health, especially for vulnerable populations such as the elderly and those living in regions like North Africa and South Asia. It also discusses historical heatwave casualties and the need for awareness around the dangers of prolonged heat exposure.
In conclusion, the research underscores the urgent need to address climate change to mitigate severe heat risks. As temperatures continue to rise, the potential for dangerous heat conditions affecting young and older individuals increases significantly. Understanding and addressing these risks is vital for public health and safety as global warming progresses.
Original Source: www.cp24.com
