UN Launches Call to Action on Extreme Heat Amid Record Temperatures

The Call to Action brings together insights from ten specialized UN entities, including WMO and the WMO-WHO Joint Office on Climate and Health.

The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has joined nine other UN entities in supporting UN Secretary-General António Guterres' urgent Call to Action on Extreme Heat, reflecting a growing global crisis exacerbated by record-breaking temperatures.

Record-Breaking Heat:

On 22 July 2024, the daily global average temperature peaked at a new record high of 17.16°C, according to the ERA5 dataset from the European Union’s Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S). The preceding days also saw unprecedented temperatures, with 17.15°C recorded on 23 July and 17.09°C on 21 July, surpassing the previous record of 17.08°C set on 6 July 2023.

Urgent Warning:

“Earth is becoming hotter and more dangerous for everyone, everywhere,” warned Mr. Guterres. He highlighted the extreme heat epidemic affecting billions globally, with temperatures nearing 50°C (122°F), and the severe health risks involved, noting that extreme heat is responsible for an estimated 500,000 deaths annually—about 30 times more than tropical cyclones.

Call to Action:

The initiative outlines four critical areas for action:

Caring for the Vulnerable: Protecting those most at risk from extreme heat.

Protecting Workers: Implementing measures to safeguard outdoor and high-risk workers.

Boosting Resilience: Using data and science to enhance the resilience of economies and societies.

Limiting Temperature Rise: Committing to phase out fossil fuels and invest in renewable energy to keep temperature rise within 1.5°C.

The Call to Action brings together insights from ten specialized UN entities, including WMO and the WMO-WHO Joint Office on Climate and Health. This collaborative effort marks a pioneering approach to addressing the multi-sectoral impacts of extreme heat on health, lives, and livelihoods.

Record Heat and Global Impact:

WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo: “Our Earth is running an unprecedented fever,” citing new global temperature records and extended heatwaves affecting communities worldwide. At least ten countries have reported temperatures exceeding 50°C this year, with many locations experiencing dangerously high temperatures.

Strengthening Heat-Health Measures: The initiative emphasizes the need for robust heat early warning systems aligned with the Early Warnings for All initiative. Effective systems could significantly reduce heat-related illness and fatalities, with recent estimates suggesting that scaling up heat health-warning systems in 57 countries could save up to 98,314 lives annually.

Challenges and Solutions:

Under-Reported Impact: The report highlights the challenge of under-reporting heat-related illnesses and deaths due to inconsistent national reporting standards. Between 2000 and 2019, approximately 489,000 heat-related deaths occurred annually, predominantly in Asia (45%) and Europe (36%).

Preventative Measures: The Call to Action underscores that many heat impacts can be mitigated with targeted economic and social policies and public awareness campaigns. Addressing the root cause—record levels of greenhouse gases—is also critical.

As global temperatures continue to rise, the urgency for comprehensive heat action plans and enhanced international cooperation is paramount. The WMO and its partners are committed to not only treating the symptoms of this global heat crisis but also addressing its root causes to safeguard human health and well-being.