The heat index reached 152 degrees in the Middle East — nearly at the limit for human survival

The Northern Hemisphere is witnessing unprecedented heat, with record temperatures in multiple places, signaling a trend towards more extreme weather due to global warming. Human bodies face challenges in heat regulation, especially under high humidity, with limitations in natural cooling mechanisms like sweating. This rising heat poses significant health risks, particularly in regions already experiencing high temperatures. The frequency and intensity of such heatwaves are increasing globally, underscoring the urgent need for climate action and adaptation strategies.Record-breaking heat across the Northern Hemisphere, including near 126°F in China and 128°F in Death Valley, highlights the escalating extremes of global warming. Human bodies struggle to regulate temperature under these conditions, with effective cooling through sweating limited by high humidity and heat. These dangerous conditions, exacerbated by a warming climate, pose increasing risks to human survival, especially in traditionally hotter regions, and indicate a trend towards more frequent and severe heatwaves globally.

Read more :

• Grist (Sep. 8, 2023). “Parts of the world have already grown too hot for human survival.”  (Cascade Tuholske, PI)
• The Guardian (Sep 8, 2023). "Deadly humid heatwaves to spread rapidly as climate warms — study."  (Colin Raymond, Science PI)
• E&E News (Aug 9, 2023). "'Lose, lose, lose': Oil-producing Persian Gulf faces extreme heat."  (Colin Raymond, Science PI)
• The Washington Post (July 18, 2023). “The heat index reached 152 degrees in the Middle East — nearly at the limit for human survival.”  (Cascade Tuholske, PI)