Getting ready for a world at 1.5°C of heating

Peter du ToitI'm the founder of FutureWork IQ where I spend my time assisting businesses to improve their climate literacy so as to understand the projected impacts from the expanding climate crisis and how to adapt their workplaces in the face of these impacts.

This week in South Sudan all schools have been closed as the country faces an extreme heatwave: South Sudan shutters all schools as it prepares for an extreme heat wave

This will unfortunately not be a once-off event. Shortly, as we permanently pass +1.5°C of heating, South Sudan is projected to experience 137 days of temperatures above 38°C during an average year. During warmer years, for example during an El Niño year like the one we are experiencing now, this number will climb to 216 days.

This community is on the frontline of the expanding climate crisis.

There are many communities like this. The latest estimate is 3.3-3.6 billion people live in hotspots of high vulnerability to extreme events.

The IPCC identified these areas as being high risk areas in the near-term (2024-2040)

Places close to human and animal thermal limits
Places near seasonal rivers and ice
Places along coastlines

Adaptation is urgent as the solutions to survive heat at these levels for example requires stable grids, and air conditioners to keep people safe, which of course adds to the electricity demand. It is a complex problem to solve in a short space of time.

What will your region, city or town experience as we approach +1.5°C and then go beyond?

How ready are you?
How ready is your infrastructure?
Do you know?

This is a critical time to improve your climate literacy. Why not attend one of our climate literacy workshops, or host one at your company?