49 degrees Celsius in Mecca in the midst of the Hajj. In Delhi, 35 degrees were recorded - at night. From January to May 2024, an average increase of 1.1 degrees above the multi-year average was recorded in the Northern Hemisphere
Record heat levels in the world have led to significant burdens on health systems and infrastructure. Studies recommend upgrades in public systems and personal safety measures to deal with the rise in temperatures.
Heat waves swept through parts of Europe, the Middle East and South Asia, putting vulnerable populations at risk.
It's only the beginning of the summer season in the northern hemisphere, but the earth is already boiling.
Scientists at NASA's Goddard Space Observatory recently reported that May 2024, which was the warmest May in NASA's global surface temperature analysis, marks a full year of record-breaking monthly temperatures. Along the same lines, NOAA reported that January through May 2024 were the warmest in their 175-year history of temperature measurements. According to an analysis of meteorological data from Climatereanalyzer, the temperature measured on June 19, 2024 in the Northern Hemisphere increased by 1.1 degrees Celsius above the multi-year average)
The effect of heat waves at the beginning of summer
The heat waves at the beginning of summer in the Northern Hemisphere were intense. While Central America and the West and Northeast of the US experienced heat waves in May and June, temperatures also soared in the Middle East, South Asia and Africa. The series of heat waves contributed to a large number of deaths, overloaded the power grids, and broke meteorological records.
According to news reports, on June 18 this year, night temperatures in Delhi reached 35.2 degrees Celsius. It was one of the hottest nights the city has known in recent decades. In Greece, temperatures reached 44.5°C, leading to the closure of schools and historic sites. Saudi Arabia's National Meteorological Center reported temperatures of up to 49°C in Mecca during Hajj.
In many cities, the extreme temperatures have combined with limited access to air conditioning, large outdoor events, high nighttime temperatures, lack of green space, urban heat islands and other factors, leaving millions of people in hot and humid conditions. The circumstances caused not only discomfort but also heat stroke in some places.
Strategies and recommendations for dealing with the heat
According to the World Health Organization, heatstroke is the leading cause of weather-related deaths in the world and can worsen existing diseases including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, mental conditions and asthma. Researchers have calculated that about 489,000 heat-related deaths occur each year, with 45 percent of cases in Asia and 36 percent in Europe.
A research team that included Deborah Carr of Boston used NASA temperature and climate data and demographic data to identify areas at high risk for current and future heat exposure. In May 2024, they published their results in Nature Communications, and found that in 2020, about 14 percent of the global population aged 69 and older lived in areas where the average maximum temperature exceeded 37.5°C. The researchers predict that by 2050, over 23 percent of that age group will face maximum temperatures above 37.5°C.
Public and personal strategies for adapting to heat
Giacomo Falchetta, one of the researchers at the European-Mediterranean Center for Climate Change, recommended adapted public approaches. Wealthy cities with many resources may invest in early warning systems and transportation services to cooling centers and hospitals. Using remote sensing and geographic information systems, it is possible to identify neighborhoods with high levels of exposure to heat and expand the power grids to manage increasing demand for air conditioning. In cities with fewer resources, the center recommends that improving access to quality housing, air conditioning and clean water may have the most impact.
There are steps people can take to reduce risks. Carr points out that one should recognize the biological changes with age and stay indoors during heat waves. If you have to go out, do it in the early morning or in the evening when it's cooler. Drink plenty of water and avoid using an oven, especially in small homes. Be sensitive to symptoms such as dizziness and seek medical help when necessary
More of the topic in Hayadan:More of the topic in Hayadan:
- Global warming is already responsible for one in three heat-related deaths
- When the earth attacks
- Early season heat waves hit India; A record of 45.9 degrees was recorded in Uttar Pradesh
One response
No need to check what happened in Delhi
Because in Eilat there were areas where the thermometer climbed to 50 degrees
and at night it did not drop below 33,
The difference is that we have air conditioners in our houses and cars
And yet it turns out that the density together with the heat
causing an increase in violence,
That is why we must once again stop global warming
As well as stopping the explosion of the human population...