As global temperatures climb, humanity's natural cooling mechanism is put to the test, threatening widespread health crises.
Stephen Armstrong reports for WIRED.
In short:
- Tom Matthews highlights that a 2°C rise in global temperatures could lead to fatal heatwaves, affecting millions worldwide.
- In 2022, the UK experienced more than 3,500 heat-related deaths, a grim reminder of the escalating threat.
- Solutions like air conditioning and heat-escape rooms are essential, yet cooperation on a global scale is crucial for adapting to these changes.
Key quote:
"We’ve built forecasting systems that will warn us when disasters are incoming by working together at enormous scale. We must continue to do the same."
— Tom Matthews, senior lecturer in environmental geography at King’s College London.
Why this matters:
Crossing the 2°C threshold could drastically alter life as we know it, underscoring the urgency for global action to mitigate climate change and adapt to its inevitable effects.
