This summer has been even more uncomfortable than the last for many across the globe experiencing climate change-induced extreme heat. A “new normal” seems to have set in where each subsequent year breaks previous records — for example, Japan just experienced its hottest July on record.
Furthermore, around 1,300 people died in Japan every year due to heat-related illnesses over the five years through 2022. In India, where I come from and which experienced an intense heat wave this spring and summer, over 1,100 yearly deaths have been attributed to extreme heat between 2008 and 2019. And it is important to remember that data on heat-related illnesses and deaths is often underestimated.
How did the world reach this boiling point? The answer lies not only in what we have done in pursuit of economic growth and development, but also what we have failed to do. Is the main culprit the lack of effective climate change mitigation or has sluggish implementation of adaptation measures also played a role?