Global Heat Waves Reach Unprecedented Levels

By Alicia Green • Published June 5, 2025 • Updated June 6, 2025

This summer’s heat waves are being described as a “new normal” by climate scientists, as cities from Los Angeles to New Delhi record temperatures far above historical averages.

Residents across Europe and Asia endured prolonged heat indices above 100°F, straining power grids and prompting emergency declarations by government agencies. Hospitals reported a rise in heat-related illnesses, particularly among elderly populations.

“We’re facing a future where hundred-degree days won’t just be summer peaks — they’ll be the norm.”

New satellite data show that Earth’s surface temperature thresholds were broken multiple times in May, a month that traditionally experiences lower extremes.

Cities without robust cooling infrastructure found themselves in dire situations, particularly low-income neighborhoods and older residents lacking access to cooling centers or green spaces.

“It’s no longer enough to adapt,” said Dr. Lina Sorensen, a climatologist at the University of Copenhagen. “We must rethink urban design and human resilience in a warming world.”

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About the author:
Alicia Green is an environmental correspondent covering climate change and extreme weather events across multiple continents.