Heatwaves are now reported to be affecting almost one third of the people across the world. This is direct evidence of greenhouse gases trapped in the atmosphere. It is a matter of grave concern that heatwave risks across the globe have increased enormously and it is expected to affect one half of the population by the end of this century even if greenhouse gases are cut. Around three-quarters of the global population will be under threat by then if greenhouse gases are not cut.

According to Camilo Mora, an academic at the University of Hawaii and lead author of the study, the overall risk of heat-related illness or death has climbed steadily since 1980 almost 30% of the world's population live in climatic conditions producing uncomfortably high temperatures at least 20 days a year. He says, "Dying in a heatwave is like being slowly cooked, it's pure torture. The young and elderly are at particular risk, but we found that this heat can kill soldiers, athletes, everyone."

During the European heatwave of 2003, forest fires raged and caused the River Danube in Serbia to plummet so far that submerged second world war tanks and bombs were revealed. Nearly 20,000 people died. A further 10,000 died in Russia due to heat waves in 2010. Hyperthermia is an excess of body heat which can lead to heat stroke and an inflammatory response that can kill. The humidity level combined with the heat produces killer conditions. When the air is too humid, our sweat doesn't evaporate so heat accumulates in the body instead. The blood rushes to the skin to cool you down so the blood going to the organs is lesser.

High temperatures and dry conditions have been caused by cutting trees. The increased use of air conditioning also causes electrical grids to fail, as has happened in New York City, Australia and Saudi Arabia. We need to prevent heatwaves rather than just trying to adapt to them.