CounterPunch Exclusives

CounterPunch Exclusives

Record-Breaking World Heat

Image by Pavel Avakumov.

The world is its hottest in modern human history (circa 1500-present). Yet, fossil fuel CO2 emissions continue unabated, effectively creating an artificial blanket that retains heat. Despite decarbonization efforts, emissions continue to rise, driven by increasing energy demand and fossil fuel use. According to NOAA, over the past 60 years, carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere has increased 100-200 times faster than it did during the end of the last ice age. In essence, CO2 is the primary source, the genesis, of record-breaking heat.

Deadly Heat Thresholds Crossed on Five Continents, Non-survivable Conditions

A recent study conducted by researchers from The Australian National University and the University of Sydney… “led by Professor Sarah Perkins-Kirkpatrick, looked at heat waves that occurred in Mecca (Saudi Arabia) during 2024, Bangkok (Thailand) during 2024, Phoenix (United States) during 2023, Mount Isa (Australia) during 2019, Larkana (Pakistan) during 2015 and Seville (Spain) in 2003. The events featured climatologically extreme conditions and, with the exception of Australia, were associated with at least 1000 deaths.”

Non-survivable thresholds were surpassed during all six of the events.

According to Professor Perkins-Kirkpatrick, of the ANU and the ARC Center of Excellence for the Weather of the 21st Century: “While many people are rightly concerned about the possible effects of future heat waves as global warming continues, our research shows that non-survivable conditions are occurring during present-day heat events,”

Clearly, record-breaking heat is a killer today. It has already struck five continents with deaths in each attributed to excessive heat waves.

Current Conditions- Breaking Records

“From Argentina to Australia to South Africa, record heat and raging wildfires are rampaging through the Southern Hemisphere at the start of 2026, with scientists predicting that even more extreme temperatures could lie ahead – and possibly another global annual high – after three of the hottest years on record.” (Record Heat and Raging Fires Ring in 2026 Across the Southern Hemisphere, Reuters)

Effective April 2026, Asia is under severe,........

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