Climate crisis caused six additional weeks of heat in 2024
The climate crisis has given the average person across the globe an extra six weeks of dangerously hot days in 2024. The increase in extreme heat is attributed to human-induced global warming, an analysis by World Weather Attribution (WWA) and Climate Central found. The Caribbean and Pacific island states took the worst hit, facing around 150 more days of perilous heat than without global heating.
Half of world's countries face two months of high-risk temperatures
Almost half of the world's countries saw at least two months of high-risk temperatures in 2024. Even the UK, US, and Australia weren't spared, seeing an additional three weeks of high temperatures due to carbon pollution from burning fossil fuels. Scientists have warned that intensified heatwaves are the deadliest result of the climate emergency, with 2024 set to be the hottest year on record.
Researchers advocate for real-time heatwave death reporting
Researchers are calling for real-time reporting of deaths from heatwaves, noting that current data greatly underestimates the impact due to poor monitoring. Dr. Friederike Otto from Imperial College London and co-lead of WWA emphasized that the effects of fossil fuel-induced warming in 2024 were unprecedentedly clear and devastating, causing widespread and unrelenting suffering. A research technician at Climate Central, Joseph Giguere, stated that dangerous daily temperatures have become more frequent worldwide due to climate change.
Climate change intensifies hurricanes in 2024
Climate change also intensified hurricanes in 2024. Kristina Dahl, the vice president for science at Climate Central, noted that every Atlantic hurricane this year was strengthened by climate change. Hurricanes Beryl and Milton escalated to category five status due to these effects. The Guardian reported that the climate crisis has triggered dozens of previously impossible heatwaves and intensified hundreds of other extreme weather events.
Global heating amplifies typhoons in the Philippines
A recent analysis by World Weather Attribution (WWA) found that six typhoons in the Philippines in a month were made more likely and severe due to global heating. Julie Arrighi from the Red Cross Red Crescent Climate Centre emphasized the need for better preparedness for extreme weather events at current warming levels. Researchers recommend better early warning systems, accurate reporting of heat-related deaths to raise awareness about the severity of heatwaves as deadly extreme events influenced by climate change.
