Heat, humidity fatal within 50 years
RESEARCHERS are warning that humidity will become a major killer within 50 years.
A new research paper warns that extreme hot and humid weather events will begin to exceed the upper limits of human survivability by the late 21st century.
This will be a particular problem for Australia’s nearest neighbours in densely populated SouthEast Asia. But an Australian academic says it has dire implications closer to home.
Associate Professor Lidia Mayner from Flinders University’s College of Nursing and Health Sciences said: “There are many studies now coming out from South-East Asia and India where they’re starting to realise heat is becoming a serious concern.
“Similar conditions are reflected in parts of Australia, such as Darwin, Cairns and Broome,” Prof Mayner said. “If you have high humidity, the body will not perspire.
“Normally this will help keep you cool, but with high humidity that simply doesn’t happen.”
Put simply, the weather events combining extreme heat and humidity in these tropical zones are set to surpass the human body’s ability to cool itself.
In 2015, the fifth deadliest heatwave in recorded history hit large parts of India and Pakistan, claiming about 3500 lives.
The northern parts of Australia also potentially have a deadly mix of humidity and heat.