The countries set to be hardest hit by heatwaves in the coming years, revealed
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The countries most likely to be hit hardest by heatwaves in coming years revealed – with Afghanistan, Papua New Guinea and Central American countries topping the list
- New research warns millions could be affected by future climate extremes
- Countries that have so far avoided the worst extremes could be most at risk
- These countries may not have prepared to deal with climate catastrophes
Life-threatening heat waves will take the world by storm this century amid fears of worsening climate change.
Scientists at the University of Bristol warn millions are at risk as more record-breaking extreme temperatures are predicted in the coming decades.
Afghanistan, Papua New Guinea and Central America topped the list of countries most affected, compounded by conflict and other vulnerabilities.
These bleak findings follow the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan, with the health system now on the verge of collapse, according to the World Health Organization.
The study found that similar barriers to health care and climate change preparedness also played a major role in the vulnerability of Papua New Guinea and Central America.
Scientists at the University of Bristol warn millions are at risk as more record-breaking extreme temperatures are predicted in the coming decades
New research warns millions could be affected by future climate extremes. Pictured: Qala-i-Naw, Badghis Province, Afghanistan
Professor Dann Mitchell, who co-authored the study, said: ‘Being prepared saves lives. We have seen some of the most unexpected heat waves around the world leading to tens of thousands of heat-related deaths.
‘In this study we show that such record-breaking events can occur anywhere. Governments around the world must be prepared.”
Experts found that between 1959 and 2021, “statistically unlikely extremes” have occurred in 31 percent of the regions analyzed.
These temperature anomalies showed no clear pattern, leading to concerns that extremes could “occur anywhere, anytime.”
Countries that have been fortunate enough to avoid the worst extremes yet would be most at risk in the future due to a lack of previous protection.
Researchers were most concerned about Afghanistan, which they said was “one of the least developed countries in the world” with strong expected population growth.
It was believed that this population increase is likely to exacerbate climate struggles in the future, adding to the strain on the already struggling health system and energy supply.
Meanwhile, Central American countries such as Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Panama were all identified as high-risk developing countries.
Countries that have so far avoided the worst extremes could be most at risk, experts say. Pictured: Migrants from Central America and Haiti walk towards Mexico City
Healthcare barriers played a role in the vulnerability of many of the countries analyzed in the study. In the photo: Manus Island, Papua New Guinea
While these countries may not be as affected by population pressure, experts believe they could one day see a huge jump in the temperature record.
China’s Beijing, Hebei and Tianjin provinces were also marked as areas of some concern, in addition to Russia’s eastern Khabarovsk region.
However, analysis of African countries, North Korea and a handful of others was limited due to less available and useful data.
Experts also recognize that climate patterns within the listed vulnerable countries can vary based on other more local extremes and weather patterns.
Lead author and climate scientist Dr Vikki Thompson said: ‘As heatwaves become more frequent, we need to be better prepared.
“We’re identifying regions that may have been lucky so far — some of these regions have fast-growing populations, some are developing countries, some are already very hot.” We have to ask ourselves whether the heat action plans for these areas are sufficient.’