22% of the global population experienced temperatures made at least twice as likely because of climate change

Human-induced climate change, driven by rising emissions from the burning of fossil fuels like coal, oil and methane, raised temperatures and resulted in extreme heat scenarios across the world between December 2024 and February 2025, according to a new report by Climate Central.

In essence, billions of people faced high temperatures, while millions faced life-threatening heat, according to the report, which analysed heat across 220 countries and territories and 940 cities across the globe.

The key findings of the report were that at least one in five people globally felt a strong climate change influence every day in between the past three months. More importantly, close to 394 million people – or nearly 5% of the world population – were exposed to 30 or more days of risky heat, 74% of whom live in Africa, found the report. Risky heat days are ones where temperatures are hotter than 90% of local temperatures recorded from 1991 to 2020. Countries in Oceania faced more heat as well, according to the report.

Climate change driving heat

According to the report, in around 110 countries and 287 cities around the world, the average person experienced temperatures strongly influenced by climate change for at least a month.

This analysis uses Climate Central’s Climate Shift Index (CSI) to determine the influence of climate change on temperatures around the globe during this period.

The report also found that at least 1.8 billion people – or 22% of the global population – experienced temperatures made at least twice as likely because of climate change (CSI level 2 or higher) in this time period.

In these three months, the global heat exposure peaked on February 28, when 3 billion people, or 37% of the global population, experienced temperatures strongly influenced by climate change (CSI level 2 or higher), found the report.

Continent wise, about 84% of all people in South America and 69% of all people in Africa experienced at least 30 days at the wCSI level 2 during the last three months.

“Climate change is not a distant threat but a present reality to millions,” said Kristina Dahl, VP of Science at Climate Central. “The increasing frequency and severity of heat events around the world reveal a dangerous pattern of heat exposure that will only worsen if the burning of fossil fuel continues.”

About The Author

Editorial Team

A team of handpicked and dedicated writers committed to fact check each climate-related statement. Go to the roots and intent of each policy implemented, internationally and at home to help you understand climate better

See author’s posts