Rising Temperatures Demand Urgent Action
Major cities around the world are experiencing a significant rise in dangerously hot days, with reports indicating a 25% increase compared to the 1990s. This alarming trend affects cities from Washington D.C. to Tokyo. Without prompt action, millions could face increasingly harsh temperatures.
A recent study by the International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED) reveals that cities are seeing more days with temperatures exceeding 35°C. For example, in Madrid, residents now experience an average of 47 such days each year, up from 25 in the past.
The increase is striking not just in traditionally warm areas. Even London, known for its mild climate, has witnessed its number of 30°C days double. Across 43 major capitals, the average number of extremely hot days jumped from 1,062 between 1994 and 2003 to 1,335 from 2015 to 2024.
Scientists point to global warming, fueled mainly by fossil fuel usage, as a primary cause for this increase. Over the last three decades, the rise in extreme heat has resulted in millions of premature deaths, disproportionately impacting the elderly and lower-income citizens in rapidly growing cities. This will only worsen if cities remain unprepared.
Anna Walnycki from IIED highlights the urgency: “Global temperatures are rising faster than many governments anticipated, and the response has not matched this speed.” She stresses that the urban heat island effect will make conditions unbearable for millions, particularly in low-income communities where housing quality is often subpar.
About a third of the world’s urban population lives in slums or informal settlements, making them exceedingly vulnerable to climate change. Walnycki points out that in many poorer nations, the impact of rising temperatures will be felt most acutely.
The data used for this analysis came from the 43 most populous capitals, along with three other key cities. For instance, Brazil’s capital, Brasília, saw just three days above 35°C from 1994 to 2003. This number climbed dramatically, reaching 40 for the period of 2015 to 2024.
In South Africa, where the G20 presidency is currently held, Pretoria now averages 11 hot days per year, a significant rise from only three days in the 1990s. This situation emphasizes the far-reaching effects of climate change.
As we inch closer to the UN’s climate summit in Brazil this November, it’s clear that governments worldwide must acknowledge the new reality of climate change. The time for proactive measures is now, as the future wellbeing of urban residents hangs in the balance.
For further reading on this topic, you can find more information in the The Guardian’s report.
