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.