The United Nations sounds a dire warning: extreme heat is set to become more frequent, intense, and widespread. This isn't just a distant threat; it's already impacting millions in our region. Dr. Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana reports on the devastating effects of climate change, from destabilized food systems and school closures to heatstroke and disease. The year 2024 was the hottest on record globally, with Bangladesh suffering the most in Asia and the Pacific. Children, the elderly, and low-wage earners in poor, densely populated urban areas are particularly vulnerable, lacking access to cooling systems and adequate healthcare. The situation is further exacerbated by social inequality, as the poorest districts often experience the hottest temperatures.
Looking ahead, the future of our region is closely tied to the progress of climate change. Under a high-emissions scenario, extreme heat events that were once occasional will become seasonal or even year-round. This isn't just a regional concern; rising temperatures are affecting the entire Earth's ecosystem, leading to glacial melt and sea-level rise. The Islamic Republic of Iran, Mongolia, Myanmar, Turkey, and Uzbekistan could lose more than 70% of their glacier mass by 2060.
To combat these challenges, countries are gathering at the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) to explore ways to integrate heat risk into early warning systems and development planning. The key priority is to shift from reactive heat risk management to long-term, science-informed strategies. Policy actions are needed at local, national, regional, and global levels, and this year marks the International Year of Glacial Preservation, offering a critical opportunity for collective action.
At the local level, nature-based solutions like trees lining streets, urban parks, green roofs, and wetland conservation can help lower urban temperatures. These measures increase shade, promote evapotranspiration, and act as heat sinks, reducing heat island effects. Vegetation and tree canopies can reduce peak summer temperatures by up to 5°C, with green roofs and walls in Singapore shown to reduce surface temperatures by up to 17°C and ambient air temperatures by as much as 5°C.
Countries in Asia and the Pacific can significantly reduce heat-related illness, mortality, and disruptions to livelihoods by building heat-ready, multi-hazard early warning systems. Expanding heat-health warning systems in just 57 countries could save approximately 100,000 lives each year. ESCAP plans to support countries by scaling up climate-responsive and inclusive social protection schemes, including technical support for heat-specific social protection provisions.
Additionally, recognizing the benefits of nature-based solutions, efforts can strengthen collaboration among national governments, municipalities, and local communities to create green, cooling cross-border corridors. These passages can chill the air, reduce surface temperatures, and provide buffers against desertification, land degradation, drought, and sand and dust storms. Finally, innovative space solutions must be leveraged to strengthen heat preparedness in early warning systems. Despite proven benefits, coverage remains incomplete, with only 54% of global meteorological services issuing warnings for extreme temperatures, and even fewer providing alerts for heatwaves or thermal stress.
