July's "baking heatwaves" elevate health and economic risks
Severe heatwaves experienced this July are heightening concerns related to health and the economy.
TroibNews 
After experiencing the hottest June on record, July is continuing to break global temperature records, leading to significant economic and health repercussions.
"Extreme heat is increasingly tearing through economies, widening inequalities, undermining the Sustainable Development Goals and killing people," said UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Thursday.
According to the latest data from the Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S), July 22 marked the hottest day ever recorded worldwide. Furthermore, the three days from July 21 onward successively surpassed Earth's previous record set in 2023.
Notably, this new record was set in 2024 during the neutral phase of the El Nino-Southern Oscillation, which typically warms the Eastern Pacific.
Intense heatwaves have amplified health, fire, and economic risks. Nearly half a million heat-related deaths occur annually worldwide, far outnumbering deaths from other weather extremes such as hurricanes. This is likely an underestimate, according to a new report by 10 UN agencies.
This month, multiple heat-related deaths have been reported globally. In Albania, temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius caused at least one death. Italy reported at least five heat-related deaths on July 12 and 13, prompting the health ministry to issue heat warnings for 12 major cities. In mid-July, Karachi, Pakistan, reported over 16 heat-related deaths.
The extreme heat has also exacerbated health issues, with nearly 20 million Americans identifying weather as a major trigger for headaches.
Record-breaking temperatures and persistently dry conditions have created an environment conducive to rapid fire spread, elevating fire risks.
In Bulgaria, wildfires have been raging at several locations, destroying farmlands, forests, and vegetation.
In the United States, large areas in California, Nevada, Arizona, and Utah are under excessive heat warnings, with the heatwave heightening wildfire risks across the western U.S. As of mid-July, 19 active wildfire incidents in California had burned over 137 square kilometers of land since July 5.
Beyond health and wildfire concerns, heatwaves are having global social impacts.
"Extreme heat amplifies inequality, inflames food insecurity and pushes people further into poverty," Guterres said.
Potential food security crises are emerging. Japan’s dangerous heatwave is expected to continue into August and possibly September, posing risks to both health and agriculture.
In Indonesia, President Joko Widodo has warned that the country will face heatwaves and drought from July to October, potentially putting 19.7 to 45 million people at risk of hunger.
Since June 2023, each month has ranked as the planet's hottest since records began, marking 13 consecutive months of record-breaking temperatures, and this trend appears to be ongoing.
(With input from Xinhua)
Aarav Patel contributed to this report for TROIB News
"Extreme heat is increasingly tearing through economies, widening inequalities, undermining the Sustainable Development Goals and killing people," said UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Thursday.
According to the latest data from the Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S), July 22 marked the hottest day ever recorded worldwide. Furthermore, the three days from July 21 onward successively surpassed Earth's previous record set in 2023.
Notably, this new record was set in 2024 during the neutral phase of the El Nino-Southern Oscillation, which typically warms the Eastern Pacific.
Intense heatwaves have amplified health, fire, and economic risks. Nearly half a million heat-related deaths occur annually worldwide, far outnumbering deaths from other weather extremes such as hurricanes. This is likely an underestimate, according to a new report by 10 UN agencies.
This month, multiple heat-related deaths have been reported globally. In Albania, temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius caused at least one death. Italy reported at least five heat-related deaths on July 12 and 13, prompting the health ministry to issue heat warnings for 12 major cities. In mid-July, Karachi, Pakistan, reported over 16 heat-related deaths.
The extreme heat has also exacerbated health issues, with nearly 20 million Americans identifying weather as a major trigger for headaches.
Record-breaking temperatures and persistently dry conditions have created an environment conducive to rapid fire spread, elevating fire risks.
In Bulgaria, wildfires have been raging at several locations, destroying farmlands, forests, and vegetation.
In the United States, large areas in California, Nevada, Arizona, and Utah are under excessive heat warnings, with the heatwave heightening wildfire risks across the western U.S. As of mid-July, 19 active wildfire incidents in California had burned over 137 square kilometers of land since July 5.
Beyond health and wildfire concerns, heatwaves are having global social impacts.
"Extreme heat amplifies inequality, inflames food insecurity and pushes people further into poverty," Guterres said.
Potential food security crises are emerging. Japan’s dangerous heatwave is expected to continue into August and possibly September, posing risks to both health and agriculture.
In Indonesia, President Joko Widodo has warned that the country will face heatwaves and drought from July to October, potentially putting 19.7 to 45 million people at risk of hunger.
Since June 2023, each month has ranked as the planet's hottest since records began, marking 13 consecutive months of record-breaking temperatures, and this trend appears to be ongoing.
(With input from Xinhua)
Aarav Patel contributed to this report for TROIB News
