UN demands international procedures on ‘heat epidemic’
Date
7/28/2024 7:08:48 AM
(MENAFN) United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has issued a global call to address what he describes as an "extreme heat epidemic," urging concerted efforts from nations worldwide to mitigate its devastating effects on economies and populations. Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Guterres highlighted that extreme heat events, once considered rare, are now increasingly frequent and intense, posing significant risks to human health and societal stability.
Guterres emphasized the urgent need for unified action to curb rising temperatures, warning of worsening conditions if immediate measures are not implemented. He underscored that billions of people globally are already experiencing deadly heat waves, leading to approximately half a million deaths annually—far surpassing the toll of tropical cyclones.
Proposing a comprehensive action plan, Guterres outlined key priorities. Firstly, he called for enhanced protections for vulnerable groups, including the urban poor, pregnant women, people with disabilities, older adults, and children. This includes bolstering funding for heat health-warning systems and improving access to low-carbon cooling technologies to safeguard these populations.
Secondly, the United Nations chief advocated for stronger safeguards for workers, citing projections that heat stress at workplaces could escalate global economic losses to USD2.4 trillion by 2030, significantly up from USD280 billion in the mid-1990s. He stressed the need for new labor laws and regulations to protect workers from the escalating risks posed by rising temperatures.
Furthermore, Guterres urged countries to bolster the resilience of their economies and societies through the development and implementation of tailored Heat Action Plans based on scientific data and best practices. These plans, he argued, are crucial for adapting to and mitigating the impacts of climate change-induced heat waves on communities and infrastructure.
In conclusion, Guterres underscored the imperative for coordinated global efforts to confront the growing threat of extreme heat, emphasizing that proactive measures are essential to safeguarding human lives, protecting vulnerable populations, and fortifying global resilience against the escalating challenges posed by climate change.
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