The extreme heat of July caused “devastating impacts"in hundreds of millions of people, having registered the hottest day in the world since records began, highlighted today the World Meteorological Organization (WMO).

In a review of last month's temperatures released today that does not yet conclude whether July was the hottest month ever (average global temperatures for 13 consecutive months, up to June 2024, were all records), the WMO warns that July's data is yet another indication of how greenhouse gases from human activities are changing the climate.

And they also underscore the urgency of the call for action on extreme heat issued by UN Secretary-General António Guterres.

“Widespread, intense and prolonged heat waves hit every continent last year.”

“At least ten countries recorded daily temperatures above 50°C (degrees Celsius) in more than one location.”

“This is getting too hot to handle.”

WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo said the UN organization is committed to responding to António Guterres' call to action with better early warnings and action plans for heat health.

Alerts to 57 countries could save nearly 100.000 lives a year, the WMO estimates.

“Adaptation to climate change alone is not enough.”

“We must address the root causes and get serious about reducing record levels of greenhouse gas emissions.”

Celeste Saulo stated, quoted in the statement. Regarding last month, the WMO notes that globally, the 22nd was the hottest, and the 23rd was practically a tie in this extreme heat.

Although natural climate variability may play a role, temperature anomalies as high as 10°C in Antarctica are unusual, the organization emphasizes.

By region, in Asia, in July, Japan and China had their highest average monthly temperatures ever, India had its second-hottest July on record, and Pakistan and Iran suffered repeated heat waves.

In Africa, Morocco endured two consecutive heat waves, and in Europe, many areas of the Balkans and the Mediterranean, including Portugal, also experienced prolonged heat waves. The extreme heat wave that hit several countries would not have occurred without human-induced climate change, according to a scientific study cited by the WMO.

Several countries, including Greece, Hungary, Slovenia, Croatia, and Bulgaria, recorded their hottest July on record. In the last four years, Greece has recorded three of the four hottest Julys in at least the last 80 years.

In North America, the United States of America also did not escape temperature records (more than 80 records) and, in South America, where it is now winter, some countries recorded more typical summer temperatures, above 30 and 35ºC in parts of Bolivia, Paraguay, southern Brazil, Uruguay and northern Argentina.

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