The world’s hottest city is becoming known for its Old Testament-like events, such as fish boiling in the sea, caused by its 54C weather. Kuwait City was once dubbed the “Marseilles of the Gulf” for its prosperous fishing industry and bustling beaches. But now, it experiences sweltering heat that makes even the hottest European heatwaves seem cool.
In 2016, a weather station in north Kuwait recorded a temperature of 54C – the third-highest reading in the world. In comparison, the 2023 Cerberus Heatwave in Europe saw highs of 47C in Italy. Projections show an increase of almost 6C by the century’s end. In 2021, there were more than 19 days of 50C-plus heat in Kuwait – a staggering statistic that this year threatens to surpass. Kuwait City, mainly built of harsh concrete, is gradually becoming too hot for safe habitation. During the summer months, the outdoors becomes perilous for most of the day.
Scientific evidence also indicates that the already arid nation is receiving less rainfall annually, resulting in more frequent and severe dust storms.
There have been alarming accounts of birds dropping dead from the sky and seahorses being boiled alive in the bay. Even the toughest pigeons are seeking shelter from the sun’s intensity.
Temperatures over 50C are hazardous. At 13C above body temperature, it can lead to serious health complications such as heat exhaustion, heart problems, and even death.
A 2020 study indicated that a striking two-thirds (67%) of home electricity consumption in the country derives from continuously running air conditioning units.
The studies predict that if climate change continues unchecked, the incidence of heat-related mortalities could escalate by 5.1% to 11.7% across Kuwait’s residents by the end of this century, even soaring up to 15% among the non-Kuwaiti population.
In Kuwait, the effects of global warming are glaringly evident – the state maintains an enormous carbon footprint, surpassed only by Bahrain and Qatar.
Kuwait lags behind its neighbours in climate commitments, having announced a modest target of 7.4% emission reduction by 2035 at COP26.
Despite this, Kuwaiti officials estimate that energy demand is expected to triple by 2030, largely due to an increase in the use of air conditioning.
With the government subsidising much of the cost for electricity and water, there’s little incentive for consumers to conserve. This generous subsidy system extends to water sourced from energy-intensive desalination.
Salman Zafar, an environmental expert, has highlighted the stark reality: “Kuwait could be potentially facing serious impacts of global warming in the form of floods, droughts, depletion of aquifers, inundation of coastal areas, frequent sandstorms, loss of biodiversity, significant damage to ecosystem, threat to agricultural production and outbreak of diseases.”
