Rising heat

Updated: Tue, 24 Jul 2018

What to know as climate change drives extreme heat

As heatwaves smash records and claim lives - including in unexpected places like Canada and the U.S. Pacific Northwest - climate scientists explain what's happening and why

U.S. infrastructure bill aims to cool heat inequity in cities
A new program tucked into the legislation aims to tackle inequalities in urban areas where the effects of extreme temperatures can depend on one's zip code By David Sherfinski | Thu, 19 Aug 2021
Sierra Leone names Africa's first chief heat officer
From floods to droughts to landslides, the West African nation has been battling the realities of climate change for more than a decade By Kim Harrisberg | Thu, 21 Oct 2021
Extreme heat linked to more deaths in tropical forest communities
Heat-related deaths among rural communities living in tropical countries such as Indonesia are increasing as deforestation and climate change cause temperatures to rise By Michael Taylor | Thu, 11 Nov 2021
analysis In fast-warming world, Tokyo is barometer for future Olympics
Japan's heat and humidity show how future Olympic Games will need to grapple with extremes as climate change bites By Beh Lih Yi | Thu, 29 Jul 2021
Iraq's power cuts show privilege of staying cool in a heatwave
As temperatures rise in Iraq, well-off residents can afford generators that crank into action when the national grid falters but others struggle to cope By Maya Gebeily | Mon, 5 Jul 2021
Colombia's Medellin plants 'green corridors' to beat heat
As growing parts of the world grapple with unprecedented heatwaves, cities are on the frontline of efforts to keep people safe By Anastasia Moloney | Wed, 28 Jul 2021
Who wins, who loses from the boom in climate prediction startups?
New firms are harnessing AI to predict how climate change will affect land parcels, which could affect investments, loans and insurance - and make those with access to the data richer By Avi Asher-Schapiro | Tue, 5 Oct 2021
Canada heatwave: How can cities adapt to rising temperatures?
As communities in Canada and the U.S. Northwest break heat records, cities long accustomed to dangerous heat have ideas on coping By Laurie Goering and Zoe Lieberman | Wed, 30 Jun 2021
In Nepal’s oldest park, rising heat fuels surge in invasive plants
Dealing with invasive plants and more extreme rainfall problems linked to climate change now costs Chitwan National Park 40% of its budget each year, managers say By Pramod Acharya | Sun, 18 Jul 2021
City 'heat officers' take aim at climate change's 'silent killer'
As urban areas worldwide face a growing threat from heatwaves, they are starting to plan ways to protect their vulnerable residents By Carey L. Biron | Fri, 28 May 2021
Hydropower push leaves Pakistani Kashmir's capital hot, bothered
Diversion of Muzaffarabad's Neelum river for clean power has raised summer temperatures - and a second river may be diverted too By Roshan Din Shad | Fri, 16 Jul 2021
'Cooling gap' widens, despite rising heat, as virus hikes poverty
Coronavirus-related economic downturns mean more people are struggling to stay cool as climate change brings stronger heatwaves, researchers say By Laurie Goering | Wed, 5 May 2021
UK 'not prepared' for climate threats, from heat to food shortages
Even as the leaders ramp up efforts to achieve the UK's net-zero emissions goal, they are falling further behind on plans to adapt to coming threats, analysts say By Laurie Goering | Wed, 16 Jun 2021
Rising heat and snow-bare peaks chill Nepal's mountain economy
Hurting from COVID travel restrictions, tourist towns were relying on local visitors - but lack of snow related to climate change means few have come By Aadesh Subedi | Tue, 9 Feb 2021
analysis As cities bake on a warmer planet, insurers cook up heatwave cover
With extreme heat impacts soaking up a larger share of urban budgets, insurers are seeking ways to reduce financial risks By Laurie Goering | Mon, 5 Oct 2020
Heatwave Harry? As temps soar, naming the threat may save lives
Giving heatwaves names and ratings - much like hurricanes - could help people understand the growing threat, heat experts say By Laurie Goering | Tue, 4 Aug 2020
Much of West Africa faces Sahara-level heat within a century
By the end of this century, typical daily temperatures in West Africa set to be even higher than those registered on the hottest days at present, study indicates By Nellie Peyton | Fri, 30 Oct 2020
'Life or death': Baking U.S. cities legislate for air conditioning
Amid rising heat, some local authorities are mandating that rental buildings have air conditioning and are kept cool to a certain level By Carey L. Biron | Thu, 20 Aug 2020
As workers sweat, pressure grows on employers to turn down heat
As global temperatures rise, workers are increasingly struggling to cope with heat on the job and companies are starting to adapt their practices By Megan Rowling | Fri, 31 Jul 2020
Hot but want to stop the virus? Japan keeps mask-wearing cool
Soaring summer temperatures can make wearing a coronavirus-blocking mask a challenge - but Japan is innovating to keep wearers cool By Beh Lih Yi | Wed, 26 Aug 2020
Eat or stay cool? Cities test ways to protect poor from heat
More action is needed to reach the poor and vulnerable, say city officials battling potentially deadly heatwaves By Laurie Goering | Thu, 30 Jul 2020
U.S. tree-planting push to curb warming, boost jobs
Cities, corporations pledge to plant, restore 855 million trees this decade By Carey L. Biron | Thu, 27 Aug 2020
Awnings to aircon: Heat threat drives innovation in pandemic year
As cities battle COVID-19, racial inequalities and rising heat risks, they are experimenting with a range of clever solutions By Laurie Goering | Fri, 12 Jun 2020
Efficient cooling seen as key to managing climate change risks
As the world warms, people will need more fridges and air conditioners to stay healthy, but those devices need to be energy efficient, say experts By Thin Lei Win | Fri, 17 Jul 2020

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