Scientists Warn Regions Too Hot to Survive Will ‘Triple’ on Earth in Coming Decades – The Daily Galaxy –Great Discoveries Channel
Scientists warn that extreme heat zones on Earth are expanding faster than expected. Vast regions could soon become too hot for human survival, forcing major changes to where people can live. The latest research reveals just how much land could be lost to rising temperatures.The planet has already warmed by 1.5°C compared to preindustrial times, and if temperatures climb to 2°C—a limit outlined in the Paris Agreement—vast areas could become dangerously hot for human survival. A new study published in Nature Reviews Earth and Environment warns that this small temperature increase could triple the amount of uninhabitable land, putting millions of lives in jeopardy.Global temperatures are already reshaping ecosystems and daily life, but even a slight increase—just 0.5°C more—could drastically expand areas where humans can no longer function safely. At 2°C of warming, the regions experiencing extreme heat stress could grow to a landmass roughly the size of the United States.Older adults face even greater risks. Those over 60 have a lower tolerance for heat, meaning that 35% of Earth’s landmass could become too dangerous for prolonged exposure, a significant rise from 21% today.Our bodies rely on sweating, convection, and metabolic adjustments to regulate temperature, but when external conditions exceed a critical threshold, these systems break down. Scientists define two major heat stress levels:In recent years, extreme heat events have pushed the boundaries of what people can endure. Regions like the Persian Gulf, Indo-Gangetic Plain, southern U.S., Mexico, and Australia have all seen temperatures high enough to challenge even the healthiest individuals.“In such conditions, prolonged outdoor exposure—even in the shade, with a strong breeze and proper hydration—can cause fatal heatstroke,” warns Tom Matthews, a climate scientist at King’s College London.If warming reaches 4°C, nearly 40% of Earth’s land would become too hot for healthy adults to survive. By that point, only high-latitude regions and a handful of cooler mid-latitude areas would remain tolerable.For adults over 60, the situation would be even worse—60% of the planet’s landmass would reach uncompensable heat levels, making normal daily life nearly impossible.The best way to limit this crisis is by reducing fossil fuel emissions and protecting natural carbon sinks, such as forests and wetlands. But adaptation is also crucial.“As more regions experience outdoor conditions that surpass human physiological limits, ensuring reliable access to cooler environments will be essential,” says Matthews.If temperatures continue rising unchecked, long-term outdoor exposure in many parts of the world could become a serious threat to life, forcing societies to adapt in ways never seen before. The choices made today will shape the world for generations to come.Comment Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.
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