More Than 600 Million People Facing Severe ‘Cooling Poverty’, Study Finds

A new study finds nearly 600 million people face severe systemic cooling poverty and are at high risk from extreme heat.

Heat vulnerability is driven by more than temperature or income; education, work conditions, infrastructure, health, and basic services all matter.

The report shows some hotter countries are less vulnerable than poorer or less prepared places with weaker systems.

Weak infrastructure and policy gaps leave many people unable to stay safe during heatwaves, especially in the Global South.