Climate Change Leads to 41 Extra Days of Dangerous Heat in 2024

In 2024, climate change resulted in 41 additional days of dangerous heat, affecting health and the economy. The Lancet reported a potential $141 billion loss in India due to reduced labor capacity from heat. Urgent measures toward transitioning from fossil fuels are crucial to prevent ongoing extreme weather events, with climate change having a greater impact on such events than El Niño.

A recent analysis reveals that human-induced climate change resulted in an average of 41 additional days of dangerous heat in 2024, adversely affecting both public health and ecosystems. This uptick in extreme temperatures correlates with significant economic ramifications, notably a $141 billion potential income loss in labor capacity in India alone due to heat stress, as reported by a Lancet study this past October. Furthermore, the World Weather Attribution and Climate Central assert that a prompt transition from fossil fuels is critical to mitigate future occurrences of severe weather incidents such as heatwaves, droughts, wildfires, and flooding.

According to the findings, the pronounced warming attributable to human activity has led to numerous weather events, including 26 out of 29 reviewed instances that resulted in over 3,700 fatalities and considerable displacement. The influence of climate change has emerged as a more dominant force than El Niño in exacerbating these extreme weather conditions. Dr. Friederike Otto of the World Weather Attribution emphasized the extensive human suffering linked to such phenomena, citing incidents such as the floods in Spain, hurricanes impacting the United States, and drought conditions in the Amazon.

2024 is projected to be one of the hottest years on record, continuing a trend of rising temperatures that has persisted since 2023. Notably, the first half of 2024 alone saw unprecedented heat levels culminating in the hottest day ever recorded on July 22. The analysis by the scientists highlights that the 41 additional days of extreme heat represent the upper 10% of temperature extremes observed globally from 1991 to 2020, further exacerbating conditions that lead to severe droughts, wildfires, and flooding across various regions. While El Niño has played an influential role in weather patterns this year, analyses suggest that climate change remains the predominant factor driving these extreme events, including the severe drought impacting the Amazon region.

The continuing effects of climate change present significant threats to public health, economic stability, and global ecosystems. Rising global temperatures have been linked to an increase in the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, which not only pose risks to health and safety but also disrupt economic productivity. The findings and statements provided in this report draw on extensive research from credible institutions, highlighting the urgency needed in addressing fossil fuel dependency to limit the devastating outcomes of climate change.

In summation, the analysis underscores the urgent need for immediate and concerted action to combat climate change, with a clear acknowledgment of the extensive health, economic, and environmental implications of prolonged exposure to extreme heat. As evidenced by the staggering increase in hazardous heat days in 2024, the global community must prioritize the transition away from fossil fuels to safeguard against further devastating weather events and their associated impacts.

Original Source: www.businesstoday.in