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Half the world faced an extra month of extreme heat due to climate change — study
Half the world faced an extra month of extreme heat due to climate change — study

GMA Network

time5 days ago

  • Science
  • GMA Network

Half the world faced an extra month of extreme heat due to climate change — study

The sun shines through a saguaro cactus in Phoenix, Arizona on June 7, 2024. Millions remain under heat alerts as Phoenix and Las Vegas, Nevada break temperature records, with Phoenix reaching a record 113 degrees Fahrenheit (45 Celsius) on June 6, 2024. Jim Watson/ AFP/File photo WASHINGTON - Half the global population endured an additional month of extreme heat over the past year because of manmade climate change, a new study found Friday. The findings underscore how the continued burning of fossil fuels is harming health and well-being on every continent, with the effects especially under-recognized in developing countries, the authors said. "With every barrel of oil burned, every tonne of carbon dioxide released, and every fraction of a degree of warming, heat waves will affect more people," said Friederike Otto, a climate scientist at Imperial College London and co-author of the report. The analysis -- conducted by scientists at World Weather Attribution, Climate Central, and the Red Cross Red Crescent Climate Centre -- was released ahead of global Heat Action Day on June 2, which this year spotlights the dangers of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. To assess the influence of global warming, researchers analyzed the period from May 1, 2024 to May 1, 2025. They defined "extreme heat days" as those hotter than 90 percent of temperatures recorded at a given location between 1991 and 2020. Using a peer-reviewed modeling approach, they then compared the number of such days to a simulated world without human-caused warming. The results were stark: roughly four billion people -- 49 percent of the global population -- experienced at least 30 more days of extreme heat than they would have otherwise. The team identified 67 extreme heat events during the year and found the fingerprint of climate change on all of them. The Caribbean island of Aruba was the worst affected, recording 187 extreme heat days -- 45 more than expected in a world without climate change. The study follows a year of unprecedented global temperatures. 2024 was the hottest year on record, surpassing 2023, while January 2025 marked the hottest January ever. On a five-year average, global temperatures are now 1.3 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels -- and in 2024 alone, they exceeded 1.5C, the symbolic ceiling set by the Paris climate accord. The report also highlights a critical lack of data on heat-related health impacts in lower-income regions. While Europe recorded more than 61,000 heat-related deaths in the summer of 2022, comparable figures are sparse elsewhere, with many heat-related fatalities misattributed to underlying conditions such as heart or lung disease. The authors emphasized the need for early warning systems, public education, and heat action plans tailored to cities. Better building design -- including shading and ventilation -- and behavioral adjustments like avoiding strenuous activity during peak heat are also essential. Still, adaptation alone will not be enough. The only way to halt the rising severity and frequency of extreme heat, the authors warned, is to rapidly phase out fossil fuels. — Agence France-Presse

WEF: Global economy deteriorates significantly amid trade shocks and AI disruption, warn chief economists
WEF: Global economy deteriorates significantly amid trade shocks and AI disruption, warn chief economists

IOL News

time28-05-2025

  • Business
  • IOL News

WEF: Global economy deteriorates significantly amid trade shocks and AI disruption, warn chief economists

US President Donald Trump. The report underscores the impact of recent US trade policy shocks, which have shaken confidence in the global economic order. Image: Jim Watson/ AFP The global economic outlook has deteriorated significantly since the start of 2025, driven by volatile trade policies and the disruptive rise of artificial intelligence (AI), according to a World Economic Forum (WEF) report released on Wednesday. The Chief Economists Outlook highlights growing uncertainty, with 79% of surveyed economists viewing current geoeconomic shifts as a structural transformation rather than a fleeting disruption, posing risks to long-term growth and stability. The report underscores the impact of recent US trade policy shocks, which have shaken confidence in the global economic order. On April 2, the U.S. announced sweeping tariff hikes, including a 10% baseline on most global goods and significantly higher rates targeting countries with trade surpluses, notably China. This triggered market turmoil and retaliatory measures, with China imposing 145% tariffs on US imports and restricting critical mineral exports. Although both nations paused most tariff escalations by May 12, reducing bilateral tariffs by 115 percentage points, the volatility has left lasting uncertainty. WEF logo Image: Supplied Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. 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Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ 'Policymakers and business leaders must respond to heightened uncertainty and trade tensions with greater coordination, strategic agility and investment in the growth potential of transformative technologies like artificial intelligence,' said Saadia Zahidi, the managing director at the WEF. The survey reveals that 82% of chief economists rate global uncertainty as 'very high,' with 97% citing trade policy as the primary source, followed by monetary policy (49%) and fiscal policy (35%). This uncertainty is expected to suppress trade volumes (70%), gross domestic product (GDP) growth (68%), and foreign direct investment (62%). Of note 87% of respondents warn that businesses will delay strategic decisions, heightening recession risks, while 86% anticipate governments will increase borrowing to meet rising defense spending needs, potentially crowding out investments in public services. Regional growth prospects diverge sharply. In the US, 77% of economists predict weak or very weak growth through 2025, compounded by high inflation (79%) and a weakening dollar (76%). Europe shows cautious optimism, driven by fiscal expansion in countries like Germany, marking a shift from years of subdued growth. In China, economists are split on whether the country will meet its 5% GDP growth target, given domestic and external challenges. South Asia stands out, with 33% expecting strong growth. AI emerges as both a growth catalyst and a risk. While 46% of economists project AI will boost global GDP by up to 5 percentage points over the next decade, 47% foresee net job losses, compared to just 19% anticipating gains. Key growth drivers include task automation (68%) and accelerated innovation (62%), but risks like AI-driven disinformation (53%) and market concentration (47%) loom large. Economists urge governments to invest in AI infrastructure (89%) and promote adoption in key industries (86%), while businesses must adapt processes (95%) and reskill workers (91%) to harness AI's potential.

Lake Mead Warning Issued As People Told To Stay out of Sun
Lake Mead Warning Issued As People Told To Stay out of Sun

Newsweek

time28-05-2025

  • Climate
  • Newsweek

Lake Mead Warning Issued As People Told To Stay out of Sun

Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. An extreme heat watch has been issued for parts of southern Nevada and eastern California later this week as the region braces for a dangerous heat event projected to send temperatures above 100 degrees Fahrenheit. The warning encompasses popular tourist destinations including the Lake Mead National Recreation Area and Death Valley National Park. Why It Matters The National Weather Service (NWS) has warned residents in affected regions to avoid sun exposure, remain indoors if possible and check on vulnerable individuals. Two of the four intake towers sit in the reservoir of Lake Mead at the Hoover Dam in Boulder City, Nevada on June 8, 2024. Two of the four intake towers sit in the reservoir of Lake Mead at the Hoover Dam in Boulder City, Nevada on June 8, 2024. Jim Watson/AFP via Getty Images What To Know NWS said that temperatures could hit between 104 and 108 degrees in the Lake Mead Recreation Area, 100 to 105 degrees in the western Mojave Desert including Barstow, and 105 to 109 degrees in the valleys of southern Nevada, including Las Vegas, Pahrump and Moapa. Temperatures above 115 would be likely in Death Valley—considered the hottest place on Earth—it added. It warned that the possibility of heat related illnesses will increase significantly during the "dangerously hot conditions." "Do not leave young children and pets in unattended vehicles. Car interiors will reach lethal temperatures in a matter of minutes," it warned "If you do not have air conditioning in your home or lack shelter, monitor for local cooling shelters openings and assistance locating appropriate shelter from the heat," it said. It added: "Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors." According to forecasters at AccuWeather, a surge in heat levels across parts of the western U.S. could lead to daily record-challenging temperatures for cities in the territory. On Friday, Redding, California, is expected to hit 107 degrees Fahrenheit, surpassing its previous record of 104 degrees set in 2021. Sacramento may reach 103 degrees, matching a record that has stood since 1910, the outlet said. Las Vegas is forecast by AccuWeather to climb to 107°F, breaking its 2002 record of 106 degrees Fahrenheit, while Salt Lake City could see 96 degrees on Sunday, topping the 2020 record of 94 degrees. What People Are Saying The National Weather Service forecast office, Las Vegas, said on X, Wednesday: "Temperatures will climb over the next few days and an Extreme Heat Watch is in effect on Friday and Saturday for desert valleys including Las Vegas, Pahrump, Barstow, and Lake Mead. Beat the heat by staying hydrated and limiting outdoor exposure!" AccuWeather meteorologist Heather Zehr said, in an advisory shared with Newsweek: "This will be the first heat wave of the season in the West, outside of Southern California. A strong area of high pressure in the upper levels of the atmosphere will bring plenty of warmth." What Happens Next At the time of writing, the extreme heat watch was set to be in force from Friday morning through Saturday evening.

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