The analysis discovered that Mumbai has experienced the greatest increase in night-time temperatures, with an additional 65 days of warmer nights due to global warming
According to a new analysis by Climate Central and Climate Trends, climate change is causing warmer nights in India, which has serious implications for sleep and health. According to the study, climate change has added 50 to 80 nights per year where temperatures exceed 25°C in cities across India. The increase in night-time temperatures is caused by the combustion of fossil fuels, which is causing the planet to warm.
The analysis discovered that Mumbai has experienced the greatest increase in night-time temperatures, with an additional 65 days of warmer nights due to global warming. West Bengal and Assam have been the most affected, with cities such as Jalpaiguri, Guwahati, Silchar, Dibrugarh, and Siliguri experiencing 80 to 86 more days above the 25°C threshold each year as a result of climate change.
The findings come during a week in which several Indian cities set new night-time heat records. On June 19, Delhi broke the all-time high minimum temperature record, reaching 35.2°C overnight. On June 18, Alwar in Rajasthan experienced a minimum temperature of 37°C, the highest night-time temperature since records began in 1969.
Higher night-time temperatures can cause physiological discomfort and have an impact on human health by preventing the body's temperature from dropping during the night, increasing the risk of death. There is also growing evidence that rising night-time temperatures have a negative impact on sleep quality and duration. Poor sleep has negative consequences for physical and mental health, cognitive functioning, and even life expectancy. Hot nights can disproportionately affect vulnerable groups, such as the elderly and those who do not have access to adequate cooling mechanisms.
The analysis also looked at how many times the minimum night-time temperature exceeded 20° and 25°C in summers over the last ten years (2014-2023), and whether this was due to climate change, with a focus on India, the United States, and the United Kingdom. Between 2018 and 2023, the average person on Earth experienced 4.8 more days with night-time temperatures above 20°C as a result of climate change-induced increases. Meanwhile, during this time period, the average person spent an additional 11.5 days per year in temperatures above 25°C.
The report concludes by urging immediate action to combat climate change and reduce its effects on human health. The authors propose several solutions, including lowering greenhouse gas emissions, investing in renewable energy, and improving energy efficiency. They also advocate for increased awareness of the health consequences of climate change and more research into how to adapt to a warming world.