Baby, It's Hot Outside! Extreme Heat Is Having An Impact On World Cities. - CleanTechnica

A recent statistical analysis by the International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED) reveals a sharp increase in extreme heat days—defined as temperatures of 35°C (95°F) or above—in major world cities. In 2024, the 43 most populous capital cities surveyed experienced a record 1,612 days of extreme heat, a significant rise from 1,416 days in 2019 and 1,410 days in 2023. This represents a 52% increase compared to 1994, with the average number of such hot days rising by 26% over the past three decades. Nine cities, including Cairo, Tokyo, and Washington DC, recorded their highest number of extreme heat days in 2024, while four others saw their second highest totals. The data underscores the growing urgency for cities to adapt to climate change as heatwaves intensify due to global warming driven by fossil fuel emissions. The IIED emphasizes that extreme heat has likely contributed to millions of premature