Analysis: Climate change is increasing dangerous nighttime temperatures across the globe

This analysis quantifies the global increase in dangerously hot summer nights attributed to human-caused climate change. Using the Climate Shift Index, the report finds that billions of people are experiencing additional weeks per year of nighttime temperatures exceeding critical thresholds (18°C, 20°C, and 25°C), which impairs human health by preventing recovery from daytime heat and disrupting sleep.

• Human-caused climate change, driven by the combustion of fossil fuels such as oil, coal, and gas, is significantly increasing the number of dangerously hot nights worldwide.
• An average of 2.4 billion people have experienced at least two additional weeks per year where nighttime temperatures surpassed 25°C due to climate change. Additionally, over 1 billion people experienced at least two additional weeks per year of nights exceeding 18°C and 20°C.
• High nighttime temperatures negatively impact human health by preventing the body from recovering from daytime heat, increasing mortality and illness risks, and disrupting sleep, which in turn affects cognitive function, mental and physical health, and life expectancy.

APA

Climate Central (2024). Analysis: Climate change is increasing dangerous nighttime temperatures across the globe. https://www.climatecentral.org/report/dangerous-nighttime-temperatures-2024

Chicago

Climate Central. Analysis: Climate change is increasing dangerous nighttime temperatures across the globe. 2024. https://www.climatecentral.org/report/dangerous-nighttime-temperatures-2024.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Climate Central |title=Analysis: Climate change is increasing dangerous nighttime temperatures across the globe |date=7 August 2024 |url=https://www.climatecentral.org/report/dangerous-nighttime-temperatures-2024 |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{climatecentral2024analysis, author = {{Climate Central}}, title = {{Analysis: Climate change is increasing dangerous nighttime temperatures across the globe}}, institution = {Climate Central}, year = {2024}, month = aug, url = {https://www.climatecentral.org/report/dangerous-nighttime-temperatures-2024}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }