Rising Incidence of Intense Heat and Humidity - Research Findings
New Study Warns of Rising Fatal Heat-Humidity Events
A groundbreaking study published in Science Advances has revealed a concerning trend: the frequency and severity of potentially fatal humidity and heat events are on the rise globally. These extreme weather conditions, known as wet-bulb temperatures, have already surpassed the human survivability threshold in some regions.
The research, led by Colin Raymond, identified thousands of previously undetected outbreaks of these weather combinations in parts of Africa, Asia, Australia, North and South America, and along the Persian Gulf, where the heat-humidity combination surpassed the theoretical human survivability threshold on 14 occasions.
The most extreme incidents occurred along the Persian Gulf, where the heat-humidity combination surpassed the theoretical human survivability threshold. Slightly less extreme but more frequent outbreaks were detected across India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, north-western Australia, and coastal regions along the Red Sea and Mexico's Gulf of California. The peak suffered in small areas of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE was the highest wet bulb temperature recorded.
The study analyzed hourly data from 7877 individual weather stations to pinpoint localized incidents. Some coastal subtropical locations have already reported a wet-bulb temperature (TW) of 35°C, which is humans' upper physiological limit.
In theory, once the air temperature exceeds 35°C, humans will not be able to survive. Under business-as-usual scenarios, wet bulb temperatures could regularly exceed 35°C in parts of South Asia and the Middle East by the third quarter of this century.
In extreme humidity conditions, the body's ability to evaporate heat and cool down can be halted, leading to organ failure and death within hours. Air conditioning can mitigate the impact of heat-humidity, but they are harmful to the environment and are not an option for most people in poor high-risk countries where subsistence farming is common.
For every 1°C rise in temperature, a billion people will endure insufferable heat. This additional fact underscores the urgency of addressing climate change and its impacts on human health and survival.
The study did not mention any advertisements. It's a stark reminder that the consequences of climate change are not distant threats but realities that are happening now. Countries in South Asia (such as India and Pakistan), the Middle East, and parts of North and East Africa are expected to experience increased occurrences of wet-bulb temperatures above 35°C under business-as-usual scenarios in the coming decades. In the US, regions such as eastern Texas, New Orleans, and Biloxi, Mississippi, have experienced such extreme conditions dozens of times.
As we move forward, it's crucial to prioritize climate action and find solutions that can help us adapt to these changing weather patterns and ensure the safety and well-being of all people around the world.
