CHOKING. Stifling. Inescapable Heat, humidity set to become major killers

CHOKING. Stifling. Inescapable. If you think humidity’s abhorrent, it’s going to get much worse. And researchers are warning it will become a major killer within 50 years.

A research paper released today warns extreme hot and humid weather events will begin to exceed the upper limits of human survivability by the late 21st century.

This will be a particular problem for Australia’s nearest neighbours in densely-populated South East Asia. But an Australian academic says it also has dire implications closer to home.

THE HEAT IS ON

“There are many studies now coming out from South East Asia and India where they’re starting to realise heat is becoming a serious concern,” says Associate Professor Lidia Mayner, who is researching the health implications of extreme weather events at Flinders University’s College of Nursing and Health Sciences. “Similar conditions are reflected in parts of Australia, such as Darwin, Cairns and Broome”.

Put simply, the weather events combining extreme heat and humidity in these tropical zones are set to surpass the human body’s ability to cool itself…

MORE: Heat, humidity set to become major killers: study | Perth Now