'Dangerous' heatwaves likely to grip the tropics daily by 2100: study

'Dangerous' heatwaves likely to grip the tropics daily by 2100: study

Dangerous levels of heat exposure pose a risk particularly to outdoor workers
Dangerous levels of heat exposure pose a risk particularly to outdoor workers. Photo: Jewel SAMAD / AFP
Source: AFP

New feature: Check out news exactly for YOU ➡️ find “Recommended for you” block and enjoy!

Many millions of people in the tropics could be exposed to dangerous heat for half the year by 2100 even if humanity manages to meet climate goals, researchers warned Thursday.

In the most likely scenario, the world would miss those targets -- potentially subjecting people across the tropics to harmful temperatures most days of each typical year by the end of the century, the study found.

If emissions go unchecked, large numbers of people in these regions could face potentially "nightmarish" periods of extreme heat.

"There's a possibility that if we don't get our act together, billions of people are going to be really, really overexposed to these extremely dangerous temperatures in a way that we just fundamentally haven't seen," said lead author Lucas Vargas Zeppetello of Harvard University.

Severe heatwaves -- made hotter and more frequent by climate change -- are already being felt across the world, threatening human health, wildlife and crop yields.

Read also

Australia's 'Black Summer' fires affected ozone layer: study

Most climate projections predict temperature increases under different policy scenarios, but do not say which of those pathways is more likely.

PAY ATTENTION: Never miss breaking news – join Briefly News' Telegram channel!

In this study, published in the journal Communications Earth and Environment, researchers estimated potential exposure to dangerous heat and humidity.

They used statistical projections to predict levels of carbon dioxide emissions from human activity and the resultant levels of global warming.

World maps showing the number of days of 'dangerous' or 'extremely dangerous' heat in the period 1979-1998 and projections for 2050 and 2100
World maps showing the number of days of 'dangerous' or 'extremely dangerous' heat in the period 1979-1998 and projections for 2050 and 2100. Photo: Cléa PÉCULIER / AFP
Source: AFP

They found that many people in tropical regions could face dangerous heat levels for half the year by the end of the century, even if the world limits temperature rises to the Paris climate deal goal of less than two degrees Celsius (35.6 degrees Fahrenheit) above preindustrial levels.

Outside the tropics, they said deadly heatwaves will likely become annual occurrences.

The researchers used a heat index that puts "dangerous" levels at 39.4C, while temperatures above 51C are considered "extremely dangerous" and totally unsafe for humans.

Read also

Half of China hit by drought in worst heatwave on record

The extreme measure was originally developed for people working in scorching indoor environments, like a ship's boiler room, and have rarely been observed outdoors, Zeppetello said.

But by the end of the century, the researcher said it was "virtually guaranteed" that people in some parts of the tropics would experience this level of heat every year unless emissions are severely curtailed, with swathes of sub-Saharan Africa and India particularly at risk.

"That's pretty scary," he told AFP, adding that even walking outside would be dangerous under those conditions.

'Nightmarish' conditions

Earth has warmed nearly 1.2C so far and current predictions based on countries' carbon-cutting pledges would see the world far exceed the Paris Agreement's 2C target for 2100, let alone its more ambitious 1.5C aspiration.

Current predictions based on countries' carbon-cutting pledges would see the world far exceed the Paris Agreement's 2C target for 2100
Current predictions based on countries' carbon-cutting pledges would see the world far exceed the Paris Agreement's 2C target for 2100. Photo: AHMAD AL-RUBAYE / AFP/File
Source: AFP

In their research Zeppetello and colleagues analysed predictions from global climate models, human population projections, and looked at the relationship between economic growth and carbon emissions.

Read also

California set to ban fossil fuel cars by 2035

They estimated that there is only a 0.1 percent chance of limiting global average warming to 1.5C by 2100, projecting that the world is likely to reach 1.8C by 2050.

In 2100, the researchers found, the most likely global average temperature rise would be 3C, which Zeppetello said would spell "nightmarish" conditions for many people.

In a worst case scenario, in which emissions continue unchecked, he said extreme temperatures could last up to two months every year in parts of the tropics.

But he said it depends on how swiftly humanity can cut emissions.

"We don't have to go to that world. There's nothing right now that says it is a certainty, but people need to be aware of just how dangerous that would be if it were to pass," he said.

Severe heatwaves -- made hotter and more frequent by climate change -- are already being felt across the world
Severe heatwaves -- made hotter and more frequent by climate change -- are already being felt across the world. Photo: AHMAD AL-RUBAYE / AFP/File
Source: AFP

The researchers said that under all scenarios there could be a large increase in heat-related illnesses, particularly among the elderly, vulnerable and those working outside.

Read also

China warns of 'severe threat' to harvest from worst heatwave on record

"I think this is a very important point that is receiving far too little attention," said Kristin Aunan, a research professor at the Center for International Climate Research specialising in emissions and human health, who was not involved in the study.

"Reduced workability in outdoor environments could have large economic impacts in addition to the human suffering arising from having to work under extreme temperatures," she told AFP, adding crop production and livestock can also be affected by temperature extremes.

New feature: check out news exactly for YOU ➡️ find "Recommended for you" block and enjoy!

Source: AFP

Authors:
AFP avatar

AFP AFP text, photo, graphic, audio or video material shall not be published, broadcast, rewritten for broadcast or publication or redistributed directly or indirectly in any medium. AFP news material may not be stored in whole or in part in a computer or otherwise except for personal and non-commercial use. AFP will not be held liable for any delays, inaccuracies, errors or omissions in any AFP news material or in transmission or delivery of all or any part thereof or for any damages whatsoever. As a newswire service, AFP does not obtain releases from subjects, individuals, groups or entities contained in its photographs, videos, graphics or quoted in its texts. Further, no clearance is obtained from the owners of any trademarks or copyrighted materials whose marks and materials are included in AFP material. Therefore you will be solely responsible for obtaining any and all necessary releases from whatever individuals and/or entities necessary for any uses of AFP material.