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UN Secretary-General António Guterresurging governments around the world to take urgent action to tackle the “heat epidemic” plaguing the planet.
“Extreme temperatures are no longer a phenomenon of one day, one week or one month. If there is one thing that can unite our divided world, it is that we are all increasingly feeling the heat.” Guterres said as he issued a “call to action to address extreme heat”. According to the European Copernicus Network, July 21, 22 and 23, 2024 were the hottest days in history.
“Millions of people are facing a heat wave, with temperatures exceeding 50 degrees Celsius”Guterres stressed.
Within a year, At least ten places exceeded the 50°C threshold: from the US desert Death Valley (California), which reached 53.9°C on July 7, 2024, to the city of Agadir in Morocco, passing through the following countries: China or IndiaGuterres said the “invisible killer” killed nearly 489,000 people each year between 2000 and 2019, while hurricanes killed 16,000 people each year.
High temperatures not only affect health, but also the workplace. According to a report by the International Labor Organization (ILO), More than 70% of workers were exposed to heat in 2020, an increase of 8.8% from 2000.
Experts warn that when workers are exposed to temperatures of 34°C, their productivity drops by 50%. According to the United Nations, by 2030, the equivalent of 80 million full-time jobs could be lost due to high temperatures. To combat the symptoms, it is necessary “Fighting the disease” Guterres said.
The UN chief insisted that the disease was largely caused by fossil fuels, which, far from decreasing, were expanding across the board, especially in some wealthy countries. “Countries must phase out fossil fuels quickly and equitably”Guterres urged governments to transition to clean energy.
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