UN Calls for Global Action Amid Record-Breaking Heat Waves

The United Nations has issued an urgent call for global action to combat the increasing human toll of extreme heat waves. New records have been set for Earth's hottest days, prompting U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to advocate for measures to reduce heat-related deaths. A UN report highlights nearly half a million annual deaths due to heat, urging better protections, cooling strategies, and climate change mitigation.

In a stark warning, the United Nations has called for immediate global action to address the mounting human toll due to escalating heat waves, now termed an 'extreme heat epidemic.' In a passionate plea, U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres emphasized the urgent need for unified efforts to combat this global issue.

Following the recording of Earth's hottest days, Guterres detailed the grim statistics: nearly half a million people die annually from heat-related causes, significantly more than from hurricanes or other weather-related events. The UN report underscores the need for enhanced heat wave warnings, improved urban cooling designs, and robust protection for vulnerable populations.

Guterres' recommendations, if adopted, could protect billions of people and significantly reduce emissions by 2050. Better heat-health systems alone could save thousands of lives every year. The U.N. stresses that without drastic measures, climate change will continue to exacerbate extreme weather events, amplifying inequalities and pushing more people into poverty.

(With inputs from agencies.)