Europe experienced a scorching heatwave called "week of hell" in Italy, while China and the US saw temperatures exceeding 50°C. In the US, hospitals used body bags filled with ice to cool patients. Additionally, the UK recently experienced its hottest June on record.
In 2022, the UK experienced its first temperature above 40°C. A heatwave in the previous year has been linked to 60,000 deaths across Europe. The United Nations has issued a warning that we are now in the era of "global boiling."
The author is led by Prof Bailey into an environmental chamber, a room-sized scientific apparatus that can accurately regulate temperature, humidity, and oxygen levels. The author had previously used this chamber to study the effects of cold.
Professor Lizzie Kendon from the Met Office emphasizes that climate change is no longer a distant or future concern; it is impacting us now. As climate changes, the passage prompts consideration of its implications on our bodies and overall health.
The author, who struggles with heat, has been invited to participate in a heatwave experiment by Prof Damian Bailey from the University of South Wales. The experiment involves exposure to increasing temperatures from 21°C to 40.3°C, simulating a typical heatwave encounter, akin to the UK's hottest day.