Climate change made the deadly heatwaves that hit millions of highly vulnerable people across Asia more frequent and extreme

A World Weather Attribution study found that human-induced climate change significantly increased the frequency and intensity of April 2024 heatwaves across Asia. In the Philippines, the event would have been "impossible" without climate change, while in West Asia, the probability increased by a factor of 5. In South Asia, extreme temperatures were found to be about 45 times more likely and 0.85ºC hotter. The report highlights disproportionate impacts on vulnerable groups, including 1.7 million displaced people in Gaza and outdoor workers, and notes that existing heat action plans often lack mandatory workplace regulations and retrofitting for informal settlements.

• Human-induced climate change significantly increased the likelihood and intensity of heatwaves in the Philippines and West Asia. In the Philippines, the event would have been impossible without human-caused climate change, and the intensity increased by approximately 1.2°C. In West Asia, climate change increased the probability of the event by a factor of about 5 and made it approximately 1.7°C warmer than it would have been without fossil fuel combustion.
• Analysis of observed weather data in South Asia indicates that extreme temperatures in April 2024 are now approximately 45 times more likely and 0.85ºC hotter due to climate change, aligning with findings from 2022 and 2023 studies.
• The 2024 heatwaves had severe socio-economic impacts, including the closure of thousands of schools in South and Southeast Asia and exacerbated conditions for vulnerable populations. In Gaza, extreme heat worsened conditions for 1.7 million displaced people, while outdoor workers such as farmers, fishermen, and construction workers faced disproportionate health and livelihood risks.
• Future warming to 2°C above pre-industrial levels would further increase the likelihood of such extreme heat by a factor of 2 in West Asia and a factor of 5 in the Philippines, with temperatures rising by an additional 1°C and 0.7°C respectively.
• Current heatwave action plans are hindered by urban growth, informal settlements, and a lack of focus on retrofitting existing buildings. While countries like India have comprehensive plans, there is a need for mandatory workplace regulations, including rest-shade-rehydrate (RSH) programs.

APA

World Weather Attribution (2024). Climate change made the deadly heatwaves that hit millions of highly vulnerable people across Asia more frequent and extreme. https://www.worldweatherattribution.org/climate-change-made-the-deadly-heatwaves-that-hit-millions-of-highly-vulnerable-people-across-asia-more-frequent-and-extreme/

Chicago

World Weather Attribution. Climate change made the deadly heatwaves that hit millions of highly vulnerable people across Asia more frequent and extreme. 2024. https://www.worldweatherattribution.org/climate-change-made-the-deadly-heatwaves-that-hit-millions-of-highly-vulnerable-people-across-asia-more-frequent-and-extreme/.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=World Weather Attribution |title=Climate change made the deadly heatwaves that hit millions of highly vulnerable people across Asia more frequent and extreme |date=14 May 2024 |url=https://www.worldweatherattribution.org/climate-change-made-the-deadly-heatwaves-that-hit-millions-of-highly-vulnerable-people-across-asia-more-frequent-and-extreme/ |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{worldweatherattribution2024climate, author = {{World Weather Attribution}}, title = {{Climate change made the deadly heatwaves that hit millions of highly vulnerable people across Asia more frequent and extreme}}, institution = {World Weather Attribution}, year = {2024}, month = may, url = {https://www.worldweatherattribution.org/climate-change-made-the-deadly-heatwaves-that-hit-millions-of-highly-vulnerable-people-across-asia-more-frequent-and-extreme/}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }