Planet to Face Two Extra Months of 'Superhot' Days by 2100, Study Warns
Published Date: 18th Oct, 2025
WASHINGTON D.C. – The world is on track to experience an additional 57 "superhot" days on average each year by the end of the century, even if countries meet their current climate commitments, according to a sobering new study. This increase, equivalent to nearly two extra months of dangerously high temperatures, highlights both the progress made by global climate agreements and the massive risks that remain.
The analysis, which assesses the trajectory of extreme heat since the 2015 Paris Agreement, defines "superhot days" as those hotter than 90% of the historical temperatures for a specific location. Since the Paris accord was signed, the world has already added an average of 11 superhot days per year.
Heat Inequality Exposed
The report underscores a stark disparity in who will bear the brunt of this extreme heat.
Under the current scenario, which projects roughly 2.6°C (4.7°F) of warming by 2100, the countries that will suffer the largest increases in dangerous heat days are small, low-emitting nations.
For example, small island and ocean-dependent nations like Panama are projected to face up to 149 extra superhot days annually.
The top 10 most affected countries collectively produced only about 1% of global heat-trapping gases.
In contrast, the largest historical carbon-polluting nations—such as the United States, China, and India—are predicted to see a smaller relative increase, experiencing between 23 and 30 extra superhot days.
This phenomenon highlights a significant "heat inequality," where nations least responsible for climate change are the most vulnerable to its devastating effects.
Paris Agreement's Impact
The study noted a crucial difference between the current path and a pre-Paris Agreement worst-case scenario. Before the 2015 accord, the world was on track for catastrophic 4°C (7.2°F) of warming by 2100, which would have resulted in 114 additional superhot days per year—double the current projection.
"There will be pain and suffering because of climate change," said a report co-author. "But if you look at this difference between the 4°C and the 2.6°C warming scenarios, that reflects the last 10 years of collective ambition. That to me, is encouraging."
However, experts stress that an additional 57 days of extreme heat still translates to a growing burden on public health, agriculture, and infrastructure, leading to thousands, if not millions, of excess heat-related illnesses and deaths annually. The findings serve as an urgent call for world leaders to increase efforts to limit warming to the Paris goal of 1.5°C to prevent the most dangerous consequences.
Date: 18th Oct, 2025
