Humanity is experiencing an 'extreme heat epidemic,' with record-breaking temperatures and significant health impacts. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called for urgent action against climate change and fossil fuel dependency. The UN stresses the importance of early warning systems and low-carbon cooling to save lives and mitigate economic losses.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has issued a stark warning about an 'extreme heat epidemic' affecting billions globally.
High temperatures exacerbated by climate change have resulted in record-breaking heat waves, with July 21-23 being the hottest days ever recorded.
Guterres appealed for urgent action to mitigate the impact of extreme heat, emphasizing the need to fight the root causes: fossil fuel addiction and climate inaction.
Countries like the United States, Morocco, China, and India have experienced temperatures exceeding 50 degrees Celsius.
The UN has identified heat waves as a 'silent killer,' responsible for approximately 489,000 deaths yearly between 2000-2019.
The economic impacts are equally severe, with estimated losses from heat stress at work expected to reach one trillion dollars by 2030.
To combat these issues, the UN recommends enhancing early warning systems and promoting low-carbon cooling solutions.