Heatwaves will render planet uninhabitable: UN, Red Cross report

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Heatwaves exacerbated by climate change could render some areas in the world severely uninhabitable in the coming decades, according to a new United Nations report. Extreme weather, according to the report, will push poorer nations to the brink of disaster.

The report, published by the Red Cross and the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, highlights the intensification of heatwaves around the world and how they're already "fueling catastrophes" in some countries. 

Read more: Heatwaves in UK claims almost 2,809 lives in excess to previous years

Most recently, Pakistan has dealt with a catastrophic flood that has killed hundreds and displaced thousands.

“On current trajectories, heatwaves could meet and exceed… physiological and social limits in the coming decades, including in regions such as the Sahel, and South and South-West Asia,” the report said, warning that some areas may become "uninhabitable."

Suffering on a large scale and loss of life will be some of the dire consequences, in addition to population movements and exaggerated inequalities - which are already emerging. 

Areas the most vulnerable are densely populated cities - the UN report predicts that there will be a 700% increase in the number of poor people living in "extreme heat conditions" by 2050.

“Projected future death rates from extreme heat are staggeringly high – comparable in magnitude by the end of the century to all cancers or all infectious diseases – and staggeringly unequal,” the report said,

Global heating will also “undermine agriculture and livestock systems, degrade natural resources, damage infrastructure and contribute to migration." The heating will also result in economic losses of $2.5 trillion around the world by 2030.

"Aggressive steps" are needed to be taken to avert the dangerous outcomes, according to the report. 

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