SUMMARY
- NASA predicts regions becoming uninhabitable by 2050 due to climate change using a specialized heat index and satellite data.
- Rising global temperatures pose significant risks to human health, with extreme heat events becoming more frequent.
- Scientists utilize indices like wet bulb temperature to assess health risks related to heat, with some regions already experiencing dangerously high wet bulb temperatures.
- NASA's climate models forecast areas where wet bulb temperatures may exceed survivable levels, including parts of Asia, the Middle East, and the United States, by 2050-2070.
ABOUT US
Thermal index
- A thermal index assesses the risk for the human body.
- Scientists use two indices to measure heat discomfort and health risks: the heat index, which combines air temperature and relative humidity in the shade, and the wet bulb temperature, a less subjective and more precise measure.
- The wet bulb temperature represents the lowest temperature at which an object or body cools when moisture evaporates from it, indicating our body's ability to cool through sweating in hot and humid conditions.
- The aim is to determine at what level our body can no longer cool down: beyond this point, the risk of death becomes real.
- Scientists consider that the highest wet bulb index humans can withstand is 35°C for six hours.
- Health Risks: Wet bulb index above 35°C poses significant health hazards.Even lower indices (e.g., 25°C) can result in fatalities, as seen in the 2021 heatwave in the US and Canada. Health risks increase once the index surpasses 12°C below normal body temperature (around 37°C).
Nasa wet bulb index visualisation
- The NASA utilizes instruments located on the International Space Station, such as AIRS (Atmospheric Infrared Sounder) and ECOStress (ECOsystem Spaceborne Thermal Radiometer Experiment).
- The organization is currently developing a new project, the SBG (Surface Biology and Geology mission), aimed at obtaining more precise data on the moisture evaporation process.
- Dark orange areas indicate regions that experienced high and dangerous wet bulb indices between 1979 and 2017.
- This visualization provides insights into areas prone to extreme heat and potential health risks associated with high wet bulb temperatures.
- NASA records have already observed wet bulb temperatures above 35°C numerous times since 2005, particularly in the subtropical regions of Pakistan and the Persian Gulf.
- Over the past 40 years, the frequency of these extremely high wet bulbs has tripled. The majority of warm and humid regions on the planet typically have a wet bulb index that does not exceed 25 to 27°C.
Within the coming years
- NASA Climate Prediction Models: Aim to identify regions where wet bulb index will become lethal.
- Regions Facing Lethal Wet Bulb Conditions by 2050: Southern Asia, Persian Gulf (Iran, Oman, Kuwait), Red Sea bordering countries (Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Ethiopia, Somalia, Yemen ). Why those more than africa ? Heat + humidity
- Future Hotspots by 2070: Eastern China, parts of South Asia, Brazil. + Potential Impact on US States: Certain Midwest states (e.g., Arkansas, Missouri, Iowa) predicted to face lethal conditions within 50 years.
(1) Source : International Space Station (ISS), including instruments like AIRS (Atmospheric Infrared Sounder) and ECOStress (ECOsystem Spaceborne Thermal Radiometer Experiment).
Proposed actions
Create a lab with GUTech on ....
water use can play a crucial role in adapting to climate change and extreme heat conditions, particularly in regions like the Persian Gulf. Here are some ways water can be utilized to help mitigate the effects of extreme heat:
- Evaporative Cooling:
- Smart Landscaping:
- Adaptive Architecture:
- Water Conservation:
