Combating Heatwaves: WMO’s Response to an Intensifying Global Crisis

In recent years, the world has seen a concerning rise in the intensity and frequency of heatwaves, underscoring the urgent need to address this escalating global crisis. This growing threat prompted United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres to issue a call to action last month, warning that billions of people are now facing an "extreme heat epidemic" due to the deadly impacts of rising temperatures worldwide. The gravity of this situation was further emphasized on July 22, 2024, when NASA recorded the hottest day ever, setting a new and alarming benchmark in our warming world. The devastating consequences of this intensifying heatwave were tragically evidenced in 2023, with more than 47,000 people in Europe losing their lives due to extreme temperatures, as reported by the Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal) earlier this month.

One of the most concerning trends in climate change is the rapid expansion of heatwaves into new regions of the globe or occurring at unseasonable times of the year. Due to dangerously high temperatures last April, authorities in the Philippines, where schools typically close in the event of tropical storms, shut down all public schools and shifted classes online. This geographic and seasonal expansion of heatwaves is particularly troubling given it increases the number of people exposed to these extreme events. Vulnerable populations, including the elderly, children, individuals with pre-existing health conditions, and outdoor workers, are particularly at risk. Last week, a UNICEF analysis revealed that one in five children, totally 466 million globally, now live in areas that experience at least double the number of extremely hot days compared to just six decades ago. This alarming statistic serves as a critical indicator of the accelerating pace and scale at which extreme heat events are increasing for nearly half a billion children worldwide, many of whom lack the infrastructure or services needed to cope with such conditions.

As these extreme heat events continue to become more frequent and severe, they are expected to exacerbate existing health conditions, particularly cardiovascular and respiratory illnesses, putting millions of lives at risk. To address the health impacts of extreme heat, the World Meteorological Organization has partnered with the World Health Organization to provide critical guidance to governments and communities worldwide. The publication "Heat-Health Warning" (WMO-No.1142), developed in collaboration with WHO, offers practical advice on addressing the human health impacts of extreme heat, including the issuance of heatwave warnings. By providing such guidance, the WMO aims to empower communities and health authorities to take timely and effective action to protect vulnerable populations from the dangers of extreme heat.

Beyond their direct health impacts, heatwaves strain public safety and infrastructure. Urban areas, in particular, are increasingly affected. The functioning of critical infrastructure, including transportation and energy systems, can be severely compromised, leading to widespread disruptions. To tackle these challenges, the WMO emphasizes the importance of prioritizing investments in infrastructure and public health systems that can withstand the pressures of a warming world. This includes supporting urban planning initiatives that mitigate the urban heat island effect, a phenomenon where cities experience significantly higher temperatures than surrounding rural areas due to human activities and infrastructure. By focusing on climate-resilient urban planning, authorities can better protect marginalized populations who are disproportionately affected by extreme heat.

The WMO also collaborates closely with the National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHS) to enhance the prediction of extreme heat events and to modernize early warning systems. These efforts are crucial in enabling countries to develop and implement heat action plans that can be effectively executed at the local level, thereby reducing the human and economic toll of heatwaves.