A comprehensive new study has revealed that the United Kingdom and Switzerland are set to be the most severely impacted countries globally by a relative increase in “uncomfortably hot days.” The study highlights that homes in these regions, along with much of northern Europe, will suffer disproportionately due to their design, which prioritises heat insulation. This leaves these areas “dangerously underprepared” for the challenges posed by rising temperatures.
Lead study author Dr. Nicole Miranda from Oxford University emphasised that even a small rise in temperatures can result in a significantly higher relative change in the number of uncomfortably hot periods, rendering these countries more vulnerable to the need for increased cooling measures.
The research employed a complex scientific metric to define “uncomfortably hot days,” taking into account when individuals require assistance to cool down. This definition generally corresponds to a 24-hour period during which the average (mean) temperature reaches at least 18°C, with peak temperatures potentially exceeding 25°C, 30°C, or even higher.
The study operates on the assumption that global temperatures will warm by 2°C, as the crucial target of limiting warming to 1.5°C appears increasingly difficult to achieve and may be surpassed as early as 2027. According to Climate Action Tracker, the planet is projected to reach the upper threshold of 2°C by the mid-century and is currently on track for approximately 2.7°C by 2100 under existing policies.
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