60% of Spaniards have suffered more than 30 days of ‘risky heat’ this summer due to climate change

It seems that in the summer of 2024, the heat has ceased to be simply uncomfortable and has become a real health hazard. Spain – along with other countries – is an example of this, immersed in a stifling scenario that does not stop for a single minute.

So much so that a new survey conducted by Central Climate determined that, during the months of June and August, more than 30 million Spaniards —63% of the population— were seen exposed to at least 30 days of “dangerous heat”.

This is not a typical seasonal increase, however. These days of extreme temperatures were three times more likely due to global warming, a phenomenon that has already begun to reshape the country’s thermal geography.

The data is clear. What was previously experienced as occasional spikes has now become a risk for Spaniards, as Andrew Pershing, vice president of science at Central Climate: “High temperatures, clearly influenced by climate changehas put the health of billions of people around the world at risk over the past three months.”

The epicenters of heat

Among the cities hardest hit by the heat is Valencia, who lived 52 days —more than half of the summer—with dangerous temperatures amplified by global warming.

According to the report, the city of Las Fallas has become one of the most affected European regions due to carbon dioxide emissionsa direct byproduct of the combustion of fossil fuels such as coal, oil and gas.

But Valencia is not the only city affected by the climatic hurricane. Madrid and Barcelona have also suffered personally the effects of this phenomenon. Both cities experienced a third of the summer with temperatures classified as “dangerous” for human health.

But if one day were to be considered the hottest of the summer, it would be August 13By that date, more than 4.1 billion people on the planet, including the Spanish, were facing unusually high temperatures.

In total, it is estimated that One in four people worldwide have experienced at least 30 days of heat potentially dangerous between June and August 2024. In Europe, Italy and Spain are at the top of the list of countries most exposed to these risks, with 51 and 30 million people at risk respectively.

Climate Change Index

But how is this data calculated? Central Climate It does so based on the Climate Change Index (CSI), a measure that estimates what is the probability that a temperature is the result of the influence of global warming.

Here, a score of five means that a certain thermal value is at least five times more likely in the current climate than in a world without human pollution. Specifically, in regions such as Barcelona, ​​Madrid and Valencia, this level has been reached.

Furthermore, thanks to this research, it was possible to identify a Global ‘heat risk’ increases by 17 days during the summer season. This period is defined as one in which temperatures exceed 90% of those historically recorded in an area, which is associated with a significant increase in mortality and heat-related health problems.

And as you well know, high temperatures have a direct effect on the increase in pathologies such as heat stroke, severe dehydration and increased mortality from cardiovascular and respiratory causes.

A summer of records

The report not only highlights current dangers, but also warns about the future. According to the data, Summer 2024 was the hottest on record (1970), surpassing previous records in at least 72 countries, including Italy, Spain and France.

In 180 cities in the northern hemisphere, including several in Spanish territory, Extreme heat waves lasting five days or more have become 21 times more likely because of global warming.

But temperatures did not remain high during the day. In areas such as Seville and Almeria, the night gave no respite and there were days when the thermometer did not drop below 30º. A phenomenon known as tropical nights that prevents the human body from recovering from daytime heat, thus aggravating health problems.

This combination of hot days and stifling nights has had a devastating impact on agriculture, tourism and the country’s economy. Crops have been severely affected by the drought and, in rural areas of Andalusia and Castilla-La Mancha, the lack of water and heat has caused a significant reduction in cereal and olive productiontwo fundamental pillars of Spanish agriculture.