World Capitals on Fire: Days of Extreme Heat Jump 25% Compared to the 1990s

A recent international analysis revealed that major capitals around the world are recording a concerning increase in the number of extremely hot days, with the annual average rising by 25% compared to the 1990s, threatening the lives of millions of residents and putting pressure on infrastructure and health services.

An assessment by the International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED) showed that the number of days where temperatures exceeded 35° Celsius in 43 of the world's most populous capitals increased from 1,062 days annually (1994-2003) to 1,335 days (2015-2024).

The increase was observed across all continents:

Rome and Beijing: The number of extremely hot days doubled.

Manila: Tripled.

Madrid: 47 days annually compared to 25 days previously.

London: The number of days above 30° doubled despite its mild climate.


Experts attribute this increase to global warming resulting from fossil fuel burning, with each heatwave becoming more intense and prolonged, causing the deaths of tens of thousands annually, particularly affecting the elderly and the poor due to inadequate housing and services.

In 2024 alone, global temperatures peaked at 41.2° Celsius in July, leading to over 10,000 hospitalizations and at least 16,500 deaths in Europe during the summer.

Scientific reports have called for the acceleration of adaptation plans, such as creating public cooling centers, expanding shaded areas, adopting climate-sensitive work schedules, and implementing early warning systems, while the Global Center on Adaptation (GCA) launched the "Heat is On" campaign to address the crisis.

Researcher Anna Valentsky warned that "the Earth's temperature is rising faster than governments' predictions and at a pace quicker than policies can adapt, making the urban poor, especially in the Global South, the most vulnerable."