A groundbreaking study released on Thursday reveals that the world is on track to experience nearly two additional months of dangerously superhot days annually by the end of the century. The research, conducted by the international climate science group World Weather Attribution and U.S.-based Climate Central, highlights the disproportionate impact on smaller, poorer nations compared to major carbon-emitting countries. Using advanced computer simulations, the study underscores the critical role of the Paris climate agreement in mitigating the crisis. Without the emissions reductions initiated a decade ago, Earth would face an additional 114 days of extreme heat annually. The report, though not yet peer-reviewed, employs established climate attribution techniques to project future scenarios. If current emissions pledges are met, global temperatures will rise by 2.6°C (4.7°F) by 2100, adding 57 superhot days. However, the pre-Paris trajectory of 4°C (7.2°F) warming would double this figure. The study defines superhot days as those exceeding 90% of temperatures recorded between 1991 and 2020. Since 2015, the world has already gained an average of 11 such days annually. The report warns of severe health impacts, with heat waves already causing thousands of deaths yearly. Small, ocean-dependent nations like the Solomon Islands, Samoa, and Panama are projected to bear the brunt, experiencing up to 149 additional superhot days despite contributing only 1% of global emissions. In contrast, major polluters like the U.S., China, and India will see far fewer additional days. The findings underscore the inequities of climate change, with developing nations facing disproportionate suffering. Experts emphasize the urgent need for increased climate action to avert a catastrophic future.
The world is heading to add 57 superhot days a year, but study indicates it could have been worse
