In a powerful statement on Thursday, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres emphasized the urgent need for global action to address the escalating extreme heat crisis.
\"Extreme temperatures are no longer a one day, one week or one month phenomenon,\" Guterres declared, highlighting the pervasive and persistent nature of the heatwave affecting billions worldwide.
He painted a stark picture of the current situation, noting that temperatures have soared above 50 degrees Celsius in various regions, describing it as \"halfway to boiling.\" The UN chief pointed to the Sahel region, where a deadly heat wave has led to increased hospitalizations and fatalities, as well as record-breaking temperatures across the United States. Additionally, scorching conditions during Haj tragically resulted in the loss of 1,300 pilgrims, while European cities experienced such intense heat that tourist attractions had to shut down.
The impact on education has been profound, with school closures across Asia and Africa disrupting the lives of over 80 million children. \"Extreme heat is increasingly tearing through economies, widening inequalities, undermining the Sustainable Development Goals and killing people,\" Guterres warned.
According to the UN chief, extreme heat is projected to claim nearly half a million lives each year—approximately 30 times more than the fatalities caused by tropical cyclones.
Despite the dire outlook, Guterres remains hopeful. \"But the good news is that there are solutions,\" he affirmed, calling on nations to collaborate and implement effective measures to mitigate the devastating effects of extreme heat.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
