Global Heat Crisis: UN Calls for Urgent Action

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has sounded the alarm over the escalating dangers of extreme heat, which is estimated to claim nearly half a million lives annually—30 times more than tropical cyclones.

Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Guterres attributed this alarming trend to “fossil fuel-charged, human-induced climate change,” warning that conditions are set to worsen, Anadolu Agency reported.

Describing extreme heat as “the new abnormal,” Guterres emphasized its devastating impact on economies and the widening inequalities it exacerbates. He announced a global initiative focusing on four critical areas: protecting the most vulnerable, enhancing worker safety, and fortifying the resilience of societies through data-driven strategies. “The heat is on. Extreme heat is having an extreme impact on people and the planet,” he declared, urging immediate action.

In a stark reminder of the crisis’s toll, a new UNICEF report revealed that rising temperatures in Europe and Central Asia resulted in the deaths of 377 children in 2021, with half of these fatalities occurring in infants during their first year. The report highlights that approximately 92 million children in the region are exposed to frequent heatwaves, raising serious health concerns, particularly for the youngest.

In Africa, Morocco is facing its own heat crisis, with at least 21 deaths reported in a single day due to soaring temperatures reaching 48 degrees Celsius (118 Fahrenheit) in Beni Mellal. This week’s heatwave marks one of the hottest periods on record for the North African nation.

Guterres concluded by reiterating the need for the G20 to shift fossil fuel subsidies to renewable energy sources, stating, “We need to fight the disease of climate inaction.” As the world grapples with rising temperatures, the call for urgent action has never been more critical.

It should be mentioned that the past Sunday and Monday marked the hottest days on record in a row.