Global temperatures increasing by 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels will result in many regions experiencing prolonged periods of extreme heat, surpassing human tolerance. According to a recent World Bank study, Pakistan faces not only unbearable heat but also one of the highest disaster risk levels globally. This extreme heat would also affect South America and Australia. Preliminary research indicates that older adults may experience heat stress and related health consequences at lower heat and humidity levels compared to younger individuals. It’s important to note that humid heat poses a greater threat than dry heat, and governments and policymakers need to reevaluate their heat-mitigation strategies to prioritise addressing these significant dangers that people will face.
