Oanh Tran

Although most nations could maintain at agreed-upon levels of (average) temperature, a new study reports more deaths (heatstroke) related to extreme heat is expected.

Nations contributing to the 2015 Paris Agreement have pledged to limit global warming to under 2 degrees Celsius (3.6 degrees Fahrenheit).

However, extreme heat is expected to occur more often as the 2 degree Celsius limit is approached, researchers say.

44 of the 101 “mega-cities” already showed that heat stress doubled by 1.5 Celsius.  “As the climate is changing, the number and intensity of heat waves increases,” said lead researcher Tom Matthews.

“This study reveals that the global warming limits set by the Paris Climate Agreement should not be considered a safe amount of global warming,” says Jennifer Li, senior director of environmental health and disability with the National Association of County and City Health Officials.

Investigators conclude more land surface has been exposed to dangerous heat stress, and not just in the U.S.