Deadly heatwaves and extreme heat
Heat already kills around half a million people a year, and heat-related deaths have risen sharply since the 1990s as heatwaves grow longer and hotter.
How this affects people
Heat is the deadliest weather hazard, but it is also the least visible: deaths happen quietly at home, often among older people, outdoor workers and people with chronic illness.
Cities amplify heat through concrete and a lack of shade. In parts of South Asia and the Gulf, combined heat and humidity already approaches the limits of what the human body can cool itself in.
Look at what keeps the problem going
- 01Long-term warming from greenhouse gases
- 02Urban heat islands with little shade or green space
- 03Ageing populations and chronic disease
- 04Limited access to cooling and heat-health warning systems
What could happen next
The future leaves room for choices. Compare the outlooks, check what supports them and notice where the evidence becomes less certain
More record-breaking heatwaves
With temperatures near record levels, severe heat episodes are expected again, especially where early-warning systems are weak.
The future is not a timetable. These summaries reflect published scenarios and trends, with deeper uncertainty at longer horizons. Choices made now matter.
Where could a useful response begin?
Begin with a question you can investigate. Compare the sources and follow related briefings to see how the problem connects to other lives and places. This prototype does not accept proposals yet.
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