Asia (Washington Insider Magazine)-From the Middle East to the South Asian region, over twenty countries have recorded record-breaking heat over 50° Celsius. Although the Arab nation traditionally experiences a regular high heat index, there is fear of an increasing heat pattern due to climate change with the incoming Middle East heat wave.
The extreme heat waves plaguing the region are causing great health concerns. The normal resting body temperature remains around 35°, which is almost 13° cooler than the heat index recorded this year.
As a result of the Middle East heat wave, citizens are experiencing symptoms of intense dehydration, including neurological conditions, muscle performance problems, and mental health complaints. While these are the chief complaints and symptoms of extreme heat exposure, stroke and death have occurred as a result of the strain of this current heat wave.
A main concern during this extreme weather event is social wellness – especially during a heat dome of record-breaking temperatures. The mind and body are equally affected, which is resulting in higher levels of violence and mental health problems.
As seen across the globe, when temperatures are higher than normal, emergency rooms become filled with people experiencing high anxiety, mood disorders, substance abuse problems, and mental illnesses.
The ability to make sound judgments and eliminate workplace injuries becomes threatened in higher temperatures; as well as the risk of not being able to practice self-control or practicing tolerance with others.
Usually, the body can cool itself by the natural ability to sweat, but when the body
temperature rises above its normal limits, it is unable to cool. Thus, heat-related injuries and illnesses increase.
However, the current heat events in the Middle East aren’t just bringing present-day concerns. They point to a more complicated overall issue.
With temperatures expected to rise by 1.5° Celsius within the next five years, there is a concern not only for the increase of heat illnesses but also the society as a whole –as difficulties are anticipated for the region to maintain the integrity of its infrastructure and environmental needs.
There is a chance that coastal land erosion and surface water storage could
change by altering weather patterns across the globe, making already heat-intense areas even hotter over time. The natural increase of evaporation, as well as the growth of economic and human development, will undoubtedly increase the need to secure the water supply.
Environmentalists have expressed their concerns about the implications of the predicted heat increase. Climate adaptations are needed from all sectors of administration. Saudi Arabia is the first to have launched a greenhouse initiative, predicting its greenhouse-gas emissions to reach Net Zero by 2060.
Hope for other countries to follow these adaptations is gaining attention as environmental assessments occur.
