More extreme heat is coming. Study shows world’s least-prepared regions.
A new study identifies regions that are underprepared and most at risk from sweltering heat, highlighting the need to prepare for extreme temperatures around the world. Led by researchers at the University of Bristol , the study found that unprecedented heat, coupled with growing populations or limited health-care and energy resources, puts some parts of the world at the most risk, including Afghanistan, Papua New Guinea and countries in Central America. More dangerous heat waves are on the way: See the impact by Zip code. The report shows that record temperatures, which appear implausible until they happen, could occur anywhere. But countries that have not experienced rare heat waves so far are particularly vulnerable, said climate scientist and lead author Vikki Thompson. This is partly because they may be less prepared and steps to adapt are often taken only afterward, according to the peer-reviewed study published Tuesday in the journal Nature Communications. The scientists based their analysis on data sets dating back more than 60 years, as well as climate models, to evaluate the likelihood of record heat. They also look at population and economic development projections. These are some of the regions they identify: Afghanistan is the region of most concern, according to the researchers, for reasons including a lack of resources, steep projected population growth and the potential for far more extreme heat waves than experienced so far. The dependence on agricultural livelihoods, poor socio-economic development and decades of war have contributed to making Afghanistan highly vulnerable to climate change, which could have a severe impact on food insecurity, according to the United Nations . Poverty and hunger have risen since the Taliban took over in 2021 and the chaotic U.S. military withdrawal upended the economy and the flow of aid. The 2021 Global Climate Risk Index ranked the Afghanistan as the sixth-most-affected country globally by climate threats and one of the least prepared. Afghans go hungry as U.S. and Taliban officials blame each other Countries in Central America are vulnerable, and they are likely to experience new high temperatures, although the population is not expected to increase as much as elsewhere. The current record is further below the statistical maximum suggesting the region could experience a large jump in the record, the study says. Drought across swaths of Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and Panama has devastated farmland and left millions of people facing food insecurity, prompting efforts to restore forests in parts of the region, the United Nations says . 2C: BEYOND THE LIMIT Dangerous new hot zones are spreading around the world Parts of China and countries in Central Europe are also on the list because record heat waves in the densely populated regions could affect millions of people although they are more likely to have the plans and resources to mitigate the impacts. Historic Asia heat breaks hundreds of records, with extremes in Thailand and China While the study lists Beijing, as well as Germany, the Netherlands and Belgium, as vulnerable in terms of population, the authors say governments everywhere must prepare for heat extremes, with steps such as setting up cooling centers and reducing hours for those working outside. Being prepared saves lives, said Dann Mitchell, a professor in atmospheric sciences and a co-author of the study. In this study, we show that such record-smashing events could occur anywhere. Governments around the world need to be prepared. Understanding our climate: Global warming is a real phenomenon , and weather disasters are undeniably linked to it . As temperatures rise, heat waves are more often sweeping the globe and parts of the world are becoming too hot to survive . What can be done? The Post is tracking a variety of climate solutions , as well as the Biden administrations actions on environmental issues . It can feel overwhelming facing the impacts of climate change, but there are ways to cope with climate anxiety . Inventive solutions: Some people have built off-the-grid homes from trash to stand up to a changing climate. As seas rise, others are exploring how to harness marine energy . What about your role in climate change? Our climate coach Michael J. Coren is answering questions about environmental choices in our everyday lives. Submit yours here. You can also sign up for our Climate Coach newsletter .