A new analysis by Climate Central has revealed that billions of people worldwide faced intensified heat conditions driven by fossil fuel emissions between December 2024 and February 2025.
The report highlights how human-induced climate change, primarily fueled by burning coal, oil, and methane gas, has significantly raised global temperatures and increased the frequency of extreme heat events over the past three months.
The study, which utilises Climate Central’s Climate Shift Index (CSI), quantifies the impact of climate change on global temperatures during the period under review. The findings paint a stark picture of how climate change is already affecting the health and well-being of populations worldwide.
According to the report, at least one in five people globally experienced the influence of climate change on temperatures every day during the three months. Due to climate change, nearly 394 million people were exposed to 30 or more days of heat levels deemed risky. Alarmingly, 74% of these individuals reside in Africa. Risky heat days are temperatures exceeding 90% of local historical temperature records from 1991 to 2020.
The analysis further revealed that in half of the 220 countries studied, the average person experienced temperatures strongly influenced by climate change for at least 30 days. This widespread exposure underscores the urgent need for global action to mitigate climate change and protect vulnerable populations.
Urban centres are particularly at risk, with residents in 287 cities worldwide experiencing at least a month of elevated temperatures attributed to climate change. These cities, often characterised by dense populations and limited green spaces, face heightened health risks from prolonged heat exposure.
The Nigerian Meteorological Agency warns residents in 19 states, the South-East, and coastal areas of impending heat stress.
The states that would be mainly affected, according to the agency, are north-central and eastern states; Kebbi, Niger, Kwara, Oyo, Kogi, Nasarawa, Benue, Enugu, Anambra, Abia, Ebonyi, Cross River, and FCT.
Other vulnerable regions are the Southwest coastal areas, Taraba, Adamawa, Plateau, Kaduna, Zamfara, and Sokoto.
The agency’s heat stress warning shows that rising temperatures and high humidity levels over the next three to four days may cause thermal discomfort across several regions.
The agency warned that potential health risks include fatigue, irritability, reduced focus, impaired motor skills, and decreased productivity. It urged residents in affected regions to take safety precautions.
In addition to the report, Climate Central has launched an interactive tool designed to help journalists and researchers visualise the data. The tool allows users to explore climate trends for specific regions and gain insights into broader global patterns.
Journalists, policymakers, and stakeholders are encouraged to use the tool to better understand the regional implications of climate change and to drive informed discussions on mitigation strategies.