heatwaves

Recent reports highlight the devastating impact of extreme heatwaves, particularly in India, where temperatures have soared above 45 degrees Celsius, leading to uncounted deaths and criticism of the government's response. This extraordinary summer underscores the severity of the climate crisis. Concurrently, in the UK, the number of homes equipped with air conditioning has doubled in three years, reaching an estimated 4 million. This surge in demand for cooling devices, from portable units to built-in systems, reflects the increasing discomfort and perceived "unliveable" conditions experienced by residents during high temperatures. The contrasting situations in India and the UK illustrate the immediate and growing global relevance of heatwaves, emphasizing the urgent need for adaptation strategies and effective public health measures to mitigate their deadly consequences and address the challenges posed by rising global temperatures.