Extreme heat impact as PH reaches boiling point

Ten years ago, the world ga­thered in Paris, pens poised above a landmark agreement. The Paris Agreement, born of collective resolve, aimed to rewrite the climate narrative, setting ambitious goals to curb emissions and hold global warming at bay. As we mark this milestone a decade later, the question hangs heavy in the air: “Have we steered the ship away from the climate precipice, or are we merely rearranging deck chairs on a rapidly heating planet?”

A new report, a chilling testament to the escalating crisis of extreme heat, offers a stark reality check. “Ten Years of the Paris Agreement: The Present and Future of Extreme Heat,” a collaboration between Climate Central and World Weather Attribution, is a global analysis spanning the decade since the Paris accord. It reveals the extent to which our world has already been reshaped by rising temperatures and casts an ominous shadow on what lies ahead.

While the Paris Agreement has tempered some of the most catastrophic warming scenarios projected before 2015, the report underscores that the battle against extreme heat is far from won. As Friederike Otto, climate science professor at the Center for Environmental Policy, Imperial College London, noted: “The Paris Agreement is a powerful, legally binding framework that can help us avoid the most severe impacts of climate change.”

The analysis paints a picture of a world grappling with extreme heat’s relentless advance. Since 2015, surging global temperatures have resulted in an average of 11 additional hot days each year. Beyond slightly warmer summers, this is a fundamental shift in weather patterns that pushes the boundaries of human and ecological tolerance. The report projects that even if current emission reduction pledges are fully honored (a monumental “if” in itself), the trajectory is still toward 2.6 degrees Celsius of warming by 2100. This seemingly modest increase unleashes a cascade of dire consequences: events that are already highly impactful on people and ecosystems would be intolerably more severe.

 n Number of hot days per year in each country for global warming levels of 2.6 C and 4.0 C above preindustrial temperatures.PHOTO FROM THE REPORT ‘TEN YEARS OF THE PARIS AGREEMENT: THE PRESENT AND FUTURE OF EXTREME HEAT’

Today, extreme heat contributes to an estimated 500,000 deaths worldwide annually. The most vulnerable among us — the elderly, outdoor workers, those with preexisting health conditions and marginalized communities — bear its deadly brunt.

The implications of these global trends reverberate with urgency in the Philippines, an archipelago nation straddling the equator. Uniquely vulnerable to the intensifying impacts of extreme heat, the country can expect a relentless increase in the frequency and intensity of extreme heat events, with profound consequences across sectors.

Consequences for the nation

The health of Filipinos is on the line. As temperatures soar, heat-related illnesses and fatalities can surge, particularly in densely populated urban areas and among vulnerable populations lacking access to adequate cooling and health care. The agricultural sector, the lifeblood of many Filipino communities, faces a formidable threat.

Rising temperatures and prolonged droughts can decimate crops, imperiling food security and threatening the livelihoods of countless farmers. The Philippines’ critical infrastructure is also under siege. Extreme heat can strain the power grid, leading to blackouts and disruptions. It can buckle roads and transportation networks, disrupting commerce and everyday life.

As Kristina Dahl, vice president for Science at Climate Central, warns, “The Paris Agreement is helping many regions of the world avoid some of the worst possible outcomes of climate change, but make no mistake — we are still heading for a dangerously hot future.”

The government’s National Adaptation Plan (2023-2050) aims to fortify the nation against such climate impacts. But the stark reality is that a comprehensive Heat Action Plan is still under development.

The most urgent priority is for countries to dramatically increase their emission reduction targets, aligning their efforts with the Paris Agreement’s ambitious goals of limiting warming to 1.5 C or well below 2 C. Bold adaptation measures must be taken, and investments made to reduce the impacts of extreme heat to communities. This includes heat early warning systems that are effective at alerting the public about impending heat waves, and comprehensive heat action plans at the national and local levels.

Urban planning must promote cool roofs and incorporate accessible public transport systems that integrate cooling and shading. Educational campaigns can elevate public awareness, empowering citizens to protect themselves and their communities from extreme heat. Protection should be prioritized for the aforementioned most vulnerable. Intentional and equitable adap­tation efforts should include disaggregated data on gender, age and disability.

The future of extreme heat globally and in the Philippines hinges on the choices we make today. The world is at a crossroads: to choose between complacency and action, between a future defined by runaway warming, and a future where we protect the health and safety of all.

Source: Manila Times