The Harsh Reality of Life and Death in Extreme Heat: Stories from Around the World

The scorching heatwave that has swept across the globe is not just a matter of numbers on a thermometer. It’s a matter of life and death for many people who are struggling to cope with record-breaking temperatures.

In Morocco, the heatwave has led to 21 heat-related deaths at a hospital in Beni Mellal, where temperatures soared to a staggering 48.3 degrees Celsius. Many people in the region, especially those with chronic illnesses and the elderly, have been particularly vulnerable to the extreme heat.

But it’s not just Morocco feeling the heat. From Pakistan to Romania to the United States, people are feeling the impact of the rising temperatures. Pregnant women, outdoor workers, and even climate scientists are all feeling the effects of the heatwave in different ways.

For some, like roadside fruit seller Humayun Saeed in Lahore, Pakistan, the heatwave has meant multiple trips to the hospital for heatstroke. For others, like pregnant woman Delia in Bucharest, Romania, it has meant discomfort and sleepless nights.

Even climate scientists, who have been studying climate change from a distance, are now feeling the heat in their own lives. Roxy Mathew Koll in India has experienced sleepless nights due to warmer urban temperatures, while Philip Mote in Oregon has had to adapt to the changing climate in the Northwest.

As the world grapples with the reality of record-breaking temperatures, it’s clear that the heatwave is not just a scientific phenomenon. It’s a human experience that is affecting people in profound ways. From heat-related deaths to sleepless nights, the impact of the heatwave is being felt by people around the world.