Climate change is set to deprive millions of people around the world of several days of pleasant weather if the current trend of rising temperature continues, a study has suggested.
To raise awareness of the long-term impact on the planet an increase in global temperatures of 1.5C or 2C will have, researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have developed a way to provide a vivid image of the real-life consequences of the climate crisis.
The experts, part of the Eltahir Research Group, analysed data from 50 different climate models and charted how the number of “outdoor days” in various destinations around the world will decrease or grow by 2100.
The researcher defined “outdoor day” a period of 24 hours during which temperatures are pleasant enough for most people to enjoy outdoor activities like walking, cycling and travelling.
Scientists determined that temperatures during “outdoor days” can range between 10C and 25C, with no extreme weather events.
In a scenario in which the global focus remains on using fossil fuels and carrying out indiscriminate development of cities and industrial technological advancements, Greece would be the country worst off across Europe, the study shows.
The MIT model estimated the stunning Mediterranean country could lose as many as 37 outdoor days a year due to extreme heat by the end of this century.
In the scenario assuming that the development of renewable energy technology minimises the use of fossil fuels and leads to environmentally sustainable economic growth, Greece would lose 20 outdoor days.
The Iberian Peninsula would also be significantly impacted, with Portugal experiencing 33 fewer outdoor days and Spain 13, the study suggested.
When looking at the model for the worst-case scenario across the whole world, the country expected to take the worst hit in terms of lost pleasant days is the Dominican Republic.
The nation could forfeit 124 days of comfortable weather a year by 2100.
The loss of outdoor days in the greener model created by MIT would set the Dominican Republic back 58 days.
The researchers pointed out global warming could increase the divide between the Global North and South by the end of the century.
The former, the model shows, could gain more days of pleasant weather by 2100, while the latter would lose more, despite having emitted fewer greenhouse gasses.
