Source: Fortune
Summary
A new study published in Nature Climate Change finds that heat stress is increasing globally, with some areas experiencing up to two months more of heat stress than they did several decades ago. The study used the Universal Thermal Climate Index to analyze heat stress on individual humans, taking into account temperature, humidity, wind speed, and other factors. The researchers found that heat stress is worsening in already-warm regions and expanding into areas that were previously untouched by heat stress.
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The announcement sounds familiar.
Heat stress is no longer just a problem for warm regions, but a growing concern for areas that were previously unaffected. The study’s lead author, Rebecca Emerton, notes that it’s striking to see heat stress expanding into regions where it was historically rare or non-existent. The researchers found that one billion more people face at least one day of extreme heat stress each year than they did in the 1970s. The study’s findings highlight the urgent need for mitigation and adaptation strategies to address the growing threat of heat stress.
Heat stress is not just a matter of temperature, but also of humidity, which makes high temperatures more deadly because our bodies struggle to cool down.
The future impact of heat stress depends on action, and the study’s findings underscore the need for urgent action to mitigate future warming and ensure adaptation strategies are in place.
As the planet continues to warm, heat stress will only continue to worsen, making it a growing concern for billions of people around the world.
The study’s findings are a stark reminder of the need for immediate action to address the growing threat of heat stress.
Author: Evan Null
