26 More Days Of Extreme Heat Felt Across The Globe Last Year

Over the past year, there have been an average of 26 extra days of intense heat on the planet, which is probably not what would have happened in the absence of climate change.

Extreme Heat Days

The burning of fossil fuels has sent massive amounts of heat-trapping gases into the atmosphere, which is one of the main reasons why these past 12 months have been the hottest on record for the globe.

Because of human-caused warming, about 80% of the world's population has experienced at least 31 days of unusual temperatures since last May, according to the researchers' analysis.

In order to conduct this study, the scientists looked into the temperatures in each country from 1991 to 2020 to see which ones were considered to be in the top 10%. They then examined the 12 months to May 15, 2024, to determine the number of days at that time that saw temperatures within or above the prior range.

Further, they also investigated the impact of climate change on each of these very hot days using peer-reviewed methodologies.

After that, they came to the conclusion that "human-caused climate change added-on average, across all places in the world-26 more days of extreme heat than there would have been without it.".

Copernicus, the climate monitor of the European Union, reported that 2023 was the warmest year ever recorded.

Severe heatwaves have already affected large portions of the world this year, ranging from Mexico to Pakistan.

Read Also: Extreme Heat, Flooding and Disease Threaten African Megacities Like Cairo and Lagos, Scientists Warn

90 Countries Expected By Unusual Heat Waves

According to the report, more than 6.3 billion individuals, or about 80% of the world's population, had at least 31 days of intense heat in the past 12 months.

With the exception of Antarctica, 90 different countries reported 76 instances of intense heat waves. Five of the most hit countries were located in Latin America.

The report also revealed that without the influence of climate change, Suriname would have recorded an estimated 24 extreme heat days instead of 182; Ecuador 10, not 180; Guyana 33, not 174, El Salvador 15, not 163; and Panama 12, not 149.

At present, the global climate is seen to be moving towards the La Niña phase of the El Niño-Southern Oscillation cyclical pattern. Generally speaking, this heralds lower temperatures.

Nevertheless, some areas may have experienced delayed weather and storms for several months as a result of the recent heatwave. Because of the abnormally warm ocean waters where hurricanes form, forecasters anticipate an exceptionally active Atlantic hurricane season this year.

Heat is the primary cause of deaths linked to climate change, and the report also highlights how global warming is contributing to an increase in the frequency and severity of extreme weather events globally.

"(Extreme heat) is known to have killed tens of thousands of people over the last 12 months, but the real number is likely in the hundreds of thousands or even millions," the Red Cross said in a statement.

Related Article: Asia Heat Wave Update: Extreme Heat Events in South and Southeast Asia in Late March Triggered by Ocean Warming [Study]