Dangerous 'heat stress' has surged worldwide, study shows (opens original article in a new tab)

A study shows global exposure to dangerous heat stress has increased significantly since the 1970s, driven by climate change, with more people experiencing extreme heat events and heat stress expanding to new regions.

• Global exposure to dangerous heat stress has risen sharply since the 1970s due to climate change
• The percentage of the world's population experiencing extreme heat stress increased from 16% in the 1970s to 22% in 2024
• Heat stress is now affecting regions where it was historically uncommon, such as parts of North America, the UK, and Scandinavia