Extreme Heat Crisis: Billions Affected, Thousands Dead

Article Summary:
Extreme heat is impacting billions globally, with recent weeks seeing over 1,000 temperature records broken worldwide. Scientists attribute the rise in lethal heatwaves to human-caused global warming. The situation is dire in places like Saudi Arabia, where 1.8 million Muslims endured 51°C during the Hajj pilgrimage, resulting in over 1,300 deaths. Unauthorized pilgrims, often the poorest, were most affected due to lack of access to cooling facilities.
Increased fossil fuel consumption is exacerbating the problem. In 2023, global fossil fuel use hit a record high, with significant rises in coal, oil, and gas consumption, particularly in developing countries. This surge is driving unprecedented climate conditions, including record-breaking temperatures in India, Mexico, and Europe, leading to hundreds of deaths and affecting wildlife.
Efforts to mitigate heat risks are ongoing but insufficient, with calls for more comprehensive infrastructure and safety measures. Workers exposed to extreme heat, both outdoors and indoors, face significant health risks, prompting unions and environmental groups to seek federal protections and disaster declarations for extreme heat.
The article underscores that climate change is already having catastrophic effects, with scientists confirming that extreme weather patterns, including lethal heatwaves and intensified storms, are becoming the new norm due to rising greenhouse gas concentrations.