Archive · 30 Jan 2026
Oxford Study Warns of Extreme Heat Risks
A new study from the University of Oxford says that if the Earth gets much hotter, a lot of people will have to deal with really hot weather.
By 2050, almost half of all people in the world could be affected.
Some countries, like India and Nigeria, will feel the heat more than others.
Even places that are usually cold, like Canada and the UK, will have more hot days.
The study also says that buildings and other infrastructure aren't ready for this heat, and we need to make changes soon to keep people safe and comfortable.
This heat could also affect schools, health, and farming.
A University of Oxford study predicts that 3.79 billion people could face extreme heat by 2050 if global temperatures rise by 2-degrees Celsius.
Countries like India, Nigeria, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and the Philippines are expected to have the highest number of people exposed to extreme heat.
Cooler countries like Austria, Canada, the UK, Sweden, Finland, Norway, and Ireland will also experience significant increases in hot days.
Infrastructure in cooler countries is not prepared for sustained heat, potentially requiring millions of homes to install air-conditioning within the next five years.
The study highlights the broader social and economic consequences, including impacts on education, health, migration, and agriculture.
- Who
- University of Oxford researchers, led by Dr Jesus Lizana and Dr Radhika Khosla
- What
- A study predicting extreme heat risks due to global warming
- When
- The study projects impacts by 2050, with escalating effects starting before the 1.5-degrees Celsius threshold
- Where
- Global, with significant impacts in countries like India, Nigeria, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and the Philippines
- Why
- To understand and prepare for the consequences of global warming on living conditions and infrastructure
- Study Source
- University of Oxford
- Projected Temperature Increase
- 2-degrees Celsius
- People Affected by 2050
- 3.79 billion
- Current Heat Exposure (2010)
- 23% of world's population
- Projected Heat Exposure
- 41% of world's population
- Countries with Sharpest Increases
- Central African Republic, Nigeria, South Sudan, Laos, Brazil
- Countries with Highest Number of People Exposed
- India, Nigeria, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Philippines
- Projected Increase in Hot Days in UK
- 150%
- Projected Increase in Hot Days in Ireland
- 230%
- Lead Author
- Dr Jesus Lizana
- Head of Oxford Martin Future of Cooling Programme
- Dr Radhika Khosla
