Climate Change Threatens Safety of Hajj Pilgrims in Mecca
Global heating is making hajj ever more dangerous, report finds
The Guardian
Image: The Guardian
A new report reveals that global heating has significantly increased temperatures in Mecca, endangering millions of hajj pilgrims. Extreme heat now regularly occurs outside summer months, with temperatures reaching 40°C (104°F) in May. Without urgent action on fossil fuel emissions, hajj will become increasingly hazardous.
- 01Temperatures in Mecca are now 3.5°C higher in May than historical averages, making hajj increasingly dangerous.
- 02Over 1,300 pilgrims died from heat-related issues during the June 2024 hajj.
- 03The frequency of 40°C temperatures in May is expected to rise to once every two to three years due to climate change.
- 0497% of hajj pilgrimages could face dangerous heat levels by the century's end if current climate policies remain unchanged.
- 05Saudi Arabia has implemented heat action plans, but experts stress the need for a rapid transition away from fossil fuels.
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A recent analysis indicates that global heating has drastically altered the climate in Mecca, exposing millions of hajj pilgrims to extreme heat conditions even outside the summer months. Temperatures of 40°C (104°F) are now frequently recorded in May, a month that historically experienced milder weather. The study warns that without immediate action to reduce fossil fuel dependence, hajj will be conducted in dangerously high temperatures year-round by the end of the century. In June 2024, over 1,300 pilgrims succumbed to heat-related illnesses during hajj. The average May temperature has risen by 3.5°C, making the pilgrimage as perilous as it was during peak summer. Researchers from Imperial College London emphasize the urgency of transitioning away from fossil fuels, as continuing current practices will further shrink the window of safe hajj conditions. While Saudi authorities have introduced measures like shaded walkways and cooling stations, experts argue that these reactive strategies are insufficient without broader climate action. The report highlights the unique humanitarian challenges posed by extreme heat during the pilgrimage, which involves millions walking outdoors for several days.
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The increasing heat poses serious health risks for millions of hajj pilgrims, necessitating urgent climate action.
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