The Take Another Take: What can humanity do about heatwaves?
Jul 19, 2025
Johan Rockström, a climate expert from the Potsdam Institute, and Jeff Goodell, author of The Heat Will Kill You First, dive deep into the alarming rise of heatwaves globally. They discuss the tragic human toll and escalating wildlife crises sparked by climate change. With personal accounts from the blistering summer in Texas, they highlight the urgent need for a shift to renewable energy and collective action. This conversation emphasizes both the immediate threats posed by extreme heat and the hope for systemic change.
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Record Earth Heat and Consequences
- 2023 saw the warmest Earth temperatures in 100,000 years, far beyond historical human civilization norms.
- This unprecedented heat causes wide-reaching harm to health, environment, and the economy globally.
Accelerating Warming and Super El Niño
- Global warming accelerated recently beyond historical warming rates by about 0.06 degrees Celsius per decade.
- Natural El Niño events now combine with human-driven warming to create unprecedented extreme heat years.
Heat Threat to Health and Society
- Extreme heat events are increasingly life-threatening, especially with nights failing to cool down.
- At 2°C warming, about 2 billion people will face climates hostile to human survival, risking societal stability.
