Not just Story of Heat in New Delhi, Istanbul, but Story of Heat Everywhere

Sagar Mandal sat in his rickshaw, covered by a blue tarpaulin this June, a red scarf tied around his neck. Around him, New Delhi's heat wave persisted, with temperatures hitting 49.9 degrees Celsius (121.8 Fahrenheit), the blazing sun the reality over many days. Mandel shook his head as journalists interviewed him, sweat showing under his shirt. "Heat is a problem no one can solve," he said.

Johnson Idahosa sat in his Uber vehicle, the air conditioner switched off, one hand placed on the window. He could feel the heatwave in Lagos, Nigeria, temperatures having reached 40 degrees Celsius (194 degrees Fahrenheit), the scorching afternoon having lingered till evening in March. Idahosa took a deep breath as reporters accosted him, waving one hand against the heat. "This heat is killing me," he said.

Dervis Karatas sat in his expansive store, surrounded by white goods, a handkerchief in hand. Outside, Istanbul's heat wave scorched the city, with June temperatures exceeding 35 degrees Celsius, the heat intense between 11 am and four pm. Karatas wiped his face with his handkerchief when interviewed. "Heat causes a lot of troubles here," he said.

Mandal, Idahosa, and Karatas represented just a few of the people going through intense heat this summer. They sit in their cabs, rickshaws, and stores, mumbling about heat. Last summer, 48 percent of the world's population experienced at least 30 days of extreme heat. On August 11 alone, 4.2 billion people went through the experience, with heat at a CSI of three or higher levels happening in a total of 78 countries.

Climate change made the current extreme temperatures in India 43 times more likely, and New Delhi became a victim. Things have become so disturbing, that extreme heat in late spring could confront India, with experts giving it a ten percent chance of it happening. India normally experiences heat, but due to the climate change, the duration and intensity of heat waves in 2022, 2023, and 2024 escalated, bringing lots of challenges.

Climate change enabled the February extreme temperatures in Nigeria ten times more likely. The heat continued in the following months, with temperatures hitting a record 44.8 degrees Celsius in Sokoto, north western Nigeria on April 1, as well as causing chaos in Lagos. Nigeria normally experiences high temperatures, but due to climate change, the country observes a departure of two to four degrees Celsius from normal in the month of February.

Climate change enabled the largest summer season temperature increases to take place in Turkey. The heat persists during spring  and fall in Istanbul, with experts saying global warming may push temperatures up by some  6.5 degrees Celsius in 80 years. Turkey experiences high temperatures, but due to climate change, things worsen, as summer droughts now expand by 30 percent into fall, making Istanbul to suffer.

Mandel, Idahosa, Karatas, and the people experiencing extreme heat on a worldwide basis experience the terrible heat today due to climate change. This summer, a large percentage of the world's population could experience many days of extreme heat. On the first day of summer in the Northern Hemisphere for instance, deadly heat waves scorched cities in four continents. Hundreds of people died in Saudi Arabia, where nearly four million Muslims finished the hajj at the Grand Mosque in Mecca.

Thousands of Uber drivers melt in Lagos' historic heat waves. Due to the heat, Nigeria’s electricity grid collapsed in March, while the agricultural sector, which contributes about 22 percent to Nigeria's gross domestic product, faces a reduction in productivity.

Thousands of rickshaw owners in New Delhi suffer in the extreme heat. Because of it, temperatures crossed the 50 degrees Celsius mark in late May, with Mungeshpur in New Delhi recording 52.3 degrees Celsius. Health authorities warn of severe health risks of heat stroke and chronic illness.

Millions of people suffer in Istanbul's historic increases in temperatures.  Due to it, a one-degree-Celsius increase above threshold occurs, causing a 2.4 percent rise in mortality rates on all ages. Health authorities also warn diabetic patients, cardiovascular sufferers, and pregnant women about taking precautions against the heat.

Mandal, Idahosa, Karatas, and other people facing intense heat could find themselves at the risk of health challenges. Their electricity grid might collapse, temperature thresholds exceeded, economic challenges worsened.  It would come from the extreme heat, especially when heat waves this summer scorch many cities.

The India Meteorological Department advises people to stay indoors as a way to survive the heat. The Nigeria Meteorological Agency gives the same solution to Nigerians. The Turkey Meteorological Service says the same thing.

Mandal, Idahosa, Karatas, and other people facing the intense heat might stay indoors in order to survive the heat. But unless nations find a way to stay away from fossil fuels, staying indoors will not provide the final solution to the present situation.

What to Eat

Vegan food from Turkey, Credit, Never Ending Voyage