Sweltering temperatures threaten health, productivity, and overall survival; a mere 1.5°C increase can endanger 2.3 billion people. Failure to curb carbon emissions may lead to severe heat-related deaths, worsened by reliance on energy-intensive cooling methods like air conditioning, which significantly contribute to climate change. Notably, 2024 marked a record year for heat-driven electricity demand, yet renewable sources supplied the largest portion at 38%. Immediate action and sustainable cooling solutions are critical to address this escalating crisis, or we risk numerous health issues and increasing strain on electrical grids.
"We need to get out of this cycle. The way we currently cool our homes and workplaces is a huge driver of climate change." - Lily Riahi, United Nations Environment Program
"Extreme heat events drove air conditioner use to a record high, increasing electricity demand and putting pressure on grids," said the report, released in early March.
"By 2030, WHO has conservatively predicted there could be 38,000 additional deaths annually due to heat exposure in elderly people."
"A spark of good news, however: the largest slice of that growth was supplied by renewable energy, at 38%."
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