Guterres called for international action to deal with extreme heat

Shortly after the record of the hottest day in the history of the world, Antonio Guterres, the Secretary General of the United Nations asked the countries to address the extreme heat immediately.

According to Reuters, the UN Secretary General said: “Extreme heat is unusual and new, and the world must face the challenge of rising temperatures.” Guterres also urged governments to protect vulnerable groups from heat (elderly, children and pregnant women) more.  

According to the preliminary data published by the European Union Climate Observatory, Sunday (July 31) was the hottest day recorded in the world.

This year’s extreme heat has killed more than a thousand people and closed 80% of schools in Africa and Asia. Also, the International Labor Organization says that more than 70% of the world’s workforce (2.4 billion people) are now at risk of extreme heat. This figure is 93% in Africa and 84% in Arab countries.

Translator: Zahra Najafi