“Rising Temperatures and Deadly Heatwaves: The Urgent Call to Action”

A man in Diyarbakir, Turkiye, is working his job as a charcoal production torcher in scorching 104°F heat on July 18, 2024. This extreme heat is part of a global trend of rising temperatures that has prompted United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres to issue a worldwide call to action for better protection of people exposed to extreme heat.

The urgency of this appeal comes after the highest temperature ever recorded on the planet and deadly heat waves in various regions, including the United States, the Middle East, Africa’s Sahel, and Europe. These heat waves have resulted in the tragic deaths of hundreds of people, including 1,301 Hajj pilgrims this summer.

Guterres emphasized that billions of people are facing an extreme heat epidemic, with temperatures exceeding 50 degrees Celsius, or 122 degrees Fahrenheit, in many parts of the world. The impact of extreme heat is not felt equally, with vulnerable populations such as pregnant women, older people, children, and those with disabilities or illnesses at higher risk.

The UN estimates that deaths related to extreme heat among those over 65 have increased by 85% in the past two decades. Additionally, 25% of children are currently exposed to frequent heat waves, a number that could rise to nearly 100% by 2050.

To address these challenges, Guterres called for increased access to low-carbon cooling technologies, as well as better protections for workers who are at substantial risk due to extreme heat. A report by the UN’s International Labour Organization found that more than 70% of the world’s workforce, or 2.4 billion people, are at risk of heat-related injuries, with the situation being particularly severe in the Arab and Africa regions.

In addition to worker protections, Guterres stressed the need to boost the resilience of societies and economies to cope with the impacts of extreme heat, such as crop failures, infrastructure damage, and increased demand on water supplies and health systems.

To combat these challenges, Guterres called for specific and comprehensive action plans rooted in scientific data to heatproof economies, critical sectors, and the built environment. He also highlighted the importance of addressing other climate-related symptoms, such as droughts, wildfires, floods, rising sea levels, and hurricanes.

The main issue, according to Guterres, is the world’s reliance on fossil fuels coupled with climate inaction. He urged governments, particularly G20 nations, cities, regions, and the private sector, to adopt climate action plans to limit the rise of global temperatures to 1.5 degrees Celsius. This includes ending new coal projects and urgently phasing out fossil fuels.

In conclusion, Guterres emphasized the critical nature of taking action to address the impacts of extreme heat and climate change, as our future depends on it. The world must come together to implement solutions that protect vulnerable populations, workers, and the environment from the devastating effects of extreme heat.