The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a stark warning about the escalating threat of heat-related deaths due to climate change.

Each year, extreme heat claims nearly half a million lives worldwide, a number expected to surge as global temperatures rise.

Recent heatwaves have been deadly, with over 1,300 deaths during the pilgrimage in Mecca and significant fatalities in the U.

S., Japan, and Morocco.

In Europe, the summer of 2023 saw over 47,000 heat-related deaths, with the highest mortality rates in southern countries like Greece and Italy.

Vulnerable populations, particularly the elderly and women, are at greater risk due to reduced sweating capabilities.

However, adaptation measures since the deadly 2003 heatwave have mitigated potential fatalities, highlighting the importance of continued efforts to combat the impacts of climate change.