As scorching temperatures shatter records across continents, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has issued an urgent call for global action. With daily and overnight temperatures reaching dangerous levels, WMO stresses that every death from extreme heat is preventable with the right measures.
The crisis highlights the pressing need for early warning systems and heat-health action plans, especially for vulnerable populations in urban areas.
Unrelenting Heatwaves Are Now a Daily Reality, Not a Seasonal Event
According to WMO, extreme heat has become a relentless global phenomenon, with devastating impacts on health, ecosystems, and infrastructure. “Extreme heat is no longer a distant or seasonal concern—it’s a daily reality for millions,” said Joy Shumake-Guillemot of the WHO-WMO Climate Programme.
Recent temperature spikes have broken long-standing records, as July 2025 ranked the third-warmest July globally, after 2023 and 2024.
Urban Areas Face Greater Danger Due to the Heat Island Effect
In cities, heat-related illnesses are more common due to the urban heat island effect, which traps heat between concrete buildings and asphalt roads. This makes elderly people, those with chronic conditions, and low-income communities especially vulnerable to prolonged periods of high heat.
Nighttime temperatures are also dangerously high, preventing the human body from recovering from daytime heat stress.
WMO Launches Early Warnings for All Initiative to Save Lives
In response to the crisis, WMO and its partners have strengthened their “Early Warnings for All” initiative, aiming to protect high-risk populations. The program delivers timely alerts and clear instructions on what actions to take during extreme heat events, especially in underserved communities.
According to joint estimates by WHO and WMO, expanding these systems in just 57 countries could save nearly 100,000 lives annually.
Heat-Related Deaths Are Widely Underreported Worldwide
Modelled data from 2000 to 2019 suggests that nearly 489,000 heat-related deaths occurred each year, though many are never officially recorded. The problem is particularly severe in Asia and Europe, which account for a combined 81% of these deaths, based on existing estimates.
Experts agree that without urgent action, these numbers will continue to rise as climate change accelerates global warming trends.
July and August 2025: Unprecedented Temperatures Across the Globe
From Finland to Japan, communities are grappling with soaring heat that’s disrupting lives, straining healthcare systems, and worsening air quality. Sweden and Finland faced an extended heatwave, while Türkiye recorded a new national temperature high of 50.5°C (122.9°F).
Japan’s Meteorological Agency reported its highest-ever temperature of 41.8°C, prompting special heat stroke alerts across the country.
Heatwaves Ravage Asia, Europe, and North America
According to the World Meteorological Centre in Beijing, parts of West Asia, Central Asia, and North Africa have seen temperatures surpass 45°C.
In Iran and Iraq, some areas recorded temperatures above 50°C, causing power outages, school closures, and work stoppages.
The southwestern United States and northern Mexico are also battling persistent heat, with local advisories urging precautions to prevent heatstroke.
Extreme Heat Triggers Wildfires and Air Pollution Catastrophes
Across multiple regions, rising temperatures have fueled destructive wildfires, adding a secondary health threat via poor air quality. In Cyprus, Greece, and Türkiye, fires forced thousands to flee homes and claimed lives as emergency services struggled to respond.
Canada is enduring one of its worst fire seasons ever, with over 6.6 million hectares burned—trailing only the historic 2023 season.
Smoke Crosses Continents, Degrading Air Quality Worldwide
Smoke from Canadian wildfires has reached Europe once again, carried by strong jet streams across the Atlantic between August 5 and 7. This follows a similar episode in June, which caused reddened skies and hazardous air conditions in parts of Southern and Central Europe.
In the U.S., smoke affected much of the Midwest and Northeast, triggering air quality warnings from health agencies and NASA.
The Deadly Heat-Wildfire-Air Pollution Cycle Intensifies
The heatwave-wildfire-pollution feedback loop is becoming a recurring and deadly cycle, with each component worsening the next.
Wildfires release fine particulate matter (PM2.5) that penetrates deep into the lungs, exacerbating asthma, heart disease, and respiratory illness.
As temperatures remain high and vegetation dries out, fire risks continue to rise, endangering both ecosystems and human settlements.
Call to Action: UN and WMO Launch Multi-Sectoral Strategy
The UN Secretary-General’s Call to Action on Extreme Heat, supported by WMO and nine other UN agencies, promotes a four-pronged global strategy:
- Protect vulnerable populations, including the elderly, children, and those with pre-existing conditions.
- Defend outdoor workers from dangerous heat exposure with labor protections and flexible working hours.
- Strengthen resilience through science-backed policy, data sharing, and economic preparedness.
- Limit global warming to 1.5°C to prevent further escalation of deadly climate patterns.
Funding and Collaboration to Strengthen Heat Governance
On the anniversary of the UN Call to Action, the Global Heat Health Information Network (GHHIN) launched new resources to aid national heat response planning.
WMO, in partnership with The Rockefeller Foundation and Wellcome, has secured $11.5 million in funding to scale up extreme heat response efforts. These funds will be used to develop tools, share best practices, and support community-level heat risk reduction programs.
Final Thoughts: Heatwaves Are a Public Health Emergency, Not Just a Climate Issue
“Extreme heat is sometimes called the silent killer, but with today’s science, silence is no longer an excuse,” said WMO Deputy Secretary-General Ko Barrett. With record temperatures, intensifying wildfires, and rising heat-related deaths, governments must act swiftly to protect lives and adapt cities for future heat.
The WMO and its global partners stress that with early warnings and effective policies, extreme heat deaths are entirely preventable.
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