Billions will face conditions so hot and humid that their bodies can't naturally cool if global temperatures rise by 1ºC or more from current levels, research warns.
The study, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, highlights the severe health risks of a planet warming beyond 1.5ºC above preindustrial levels.
Lead author Dr Daniel Vecellio told The National: “Being exposed to this heat for an hour or two for a few days every year is something that can be adapted to and does not make a place 'too hot for humans'.
“Experiencing this heat for 6-7 hours a day for multiple days or weeks throughout the year is something that will have to result in major behavioural or technological adaptive measures”.
Since the Industrial Revolution began, global temperatures have risen by approximately 1ºC.
The research team simulated global temperature rises between 1.5ºC and 4ºC, identifying regions where rising heat and humidity could surpass human tolerances.
According to previous Penn State research, young, healthy individuals can tolerate wet-bulb temperatures up to about 31ºC at 100 per cent humidity.
However, tolerance varies depending on factors like exertion, wind speed and solar radiation.
Dr Vecellio told The National: “These thresholds have been rarely exceeded in the past and, when they are, are usually done for only an hour or two”.
A 2ºC temperature increase could mean that regions like Pakistan and India’s Indus River Valley, eastern China, and sub-Saharan Africa experience unbearable heat levels regularly.
These high-humidity heatwaves can be particularly deadly, especially in areas without widespread access to cooling solutions like air conditioning.
Dr Vecellio cited the unexpected 2021 Oregon heatwave, stressing that while models predict trends, they can't always foresee specific catastrophic events.
His past research with Prof W. Larry Kenney, co-author of the study, investigated human limits to heat, humidity, and physical exertion.
This foundational work was essential for the current predictions, with co-author Prof Matthew Huber noting its importance in understanding the impacts of climate change on human tolerance.
Graduate student Qinqin Kong, who collaborated in the study, emphasised that the world's climate adaptation strategies, usually focusing solely on temperature, need to address the heightened risks of humid heat.
Older populations, for instance, face higher health risks at lower heat and humidity thresholds.
Dr Vecellio told The National: “The most important thing is to drastically reduce our global fossil fuel consumption, reaching net-zero emissions quickly, and building resilience through public health measures and smaller-scale heat reduction measures”.
If ignored, many regions, especially in low-to-middle income nations, will face catastrophic conditions. Al Hudaydah, Yemen, for instance, could see over 300 days annually surpassing human heat tolerance if global temperatures rise by 4ºC.
“The worst heat stress will occur in regions that are not wealthy … As a result, billions of poor people will suffer, and many could die,” Prof Huber said.
Cop28, a conference for world leaders and other stakeholders to discuss and address climate change, will take place in Dubai in November.
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The biog
Family: He is the youngest of five brothers, of whom two are dentists.
Celebrities he worked on: Fabio Canavaro, Lojain Omran, RedOne, Saber Al Rabai.
Where he works: Liberty Dental Clinic
UJDA CHAMAN
Produced: Panorama Studios International
Directed: Abhishek Pathak
Cast: Sunny Singh, Maanvi Gagroo, Grusha Kapoor, Saurabh Shukla
Rating: 3.5 /5 stars
Polarised public
31% in UK say BBC is biased to left-wing views
19% in UK say BBC is biased to right-wing views
19% in UK say BBC is not biased at all
Source: YouGov
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
How to register as a donor
1) Organ donors can register on the Hayat app, run by the Ministry of Health and Prevention
2) There are about 11,000 patients in the country in need of organ transplants
3) People must be over 21. Emiratis and residents can register.
4) The campaign uses the hashtag #donate_hope
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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The Sand Castle
Director: Matty Brown
Stars: Nadine Labaki, Ziad Bakri, Zain Al Rafeea, Riman Al Rafeea
Rating: 2.5/5
Defending champions
World Series: South Africa
Women’s World Series: Australia
Gulf Men’s League: Dubai Exiles
Gulf Men’s Social: Mediclinic Barrelhouse Warriors
Gulf Vets: Jebel Ali Dragons Veterans
Gulf Women: Dubai Sports City Eagles
Gulf Under 19: British School Al Khubairat
Gulf Under 19 Girls: Dubai Exiles
UAE National Schools: Al Safa School
International Invitational: Speranza 22
International Vets: Joining Jack
ODI FIXTURE SCHEDULE
First ODI, October 22
Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
Second ODI, October 25
Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium, Pune
Third ODI, October 29
Venue TBC
NBA FINALS SO FAR
(Toronto lead 3-2 in best-of-seven series)
Game 1 Raptors 118 Warriors 109
Game 2 Raptors 104 Warriors 109
Game 3 Warriors 109 Raptors 123
Game 4 Warriors 92 Raptors 105
Game 5 Raptors 105 Warriors 106
Game 6 Thursday, at Oakland
Game 7 Sunday, at Toronto (if needed)
THE 12 BREAKAWAY CLUBS
England
Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur
Italy
AC Milan, Inter Milan, Juventus
Spain
Atletico Madrid, Barcelona, Real Madrid
If you go
The flights Etihad (www.etihad.com) and Spice Jet (www.spicejet.com) fly direct from Abu Dhabi and Dubai to Pune respectively from Dh1,000 return including taxes. Pune airport is 90 minutes away by road.
The hotels A stay at Atmantan Wellness Resort (www.atmantan.com) costs from Rs24,000 (Dh1,235) per night, including taxes, consultations, meals and a treatment package.
RESULTS
Cagliari 5-2 Fiorentina
Udinese 0-0 SPAL
Sampdoria 0-0 Atalanta
Lazio 4-2 Lecce
Parma 2-0 Roma
Juventus 1-0 AC Milan
The specs
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The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre turbo
Power: 181hp
Torque: 230Nm
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
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Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere
Director: Scott Cooper
Starring: Jeremy Allen White, Odessa Young, Jeremy Strong
Rating: 4/5
2025 Fifa Club World Cup groups
Group A: Palmeiras, Porto, Al Ahly, Inter Miami.
Group B: Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid, Botafogo, Seattle.
Group C: Bayern Munich, Auckland City, Boca Juniors, Benfica.
Group D: Flamengo, ES Tunis, Chelsea, Leon.
Group E: River Plate, Urawa, Monterrey, Inter Milan.
Group F: Fluminense, Borussia Dortmund, Ulsan, Mamelodi Sundowns.
Group G: Manchester City, Wydad, Al Ain, Juventus.
Group H: Real Madrid, Al Hilal, Pachuca, Salzburg.
