Climate change makes Hajj pilgrimage hotter than ever, scientists warn

The annual Hajj pilgrimage is facing unprecedented heat this year, with climate change identified as the primary driver by the scientific group World Weather Attribution (WWA). The organization stated that the current Hajj season in Saudi Arabia is hotter than in previous years, significantly increasing the risks of heatstroke and other heat-related ailments for the hundreds of thousands of pilgrims.

While Saudi authorities have made efforts to mitigate the extreme temperatures, including installing shaded pedestrian areas and providing air-conditioned tents and expanded medical services, the WWA report underscores the escalating challenge. Scientists Clair Barnes and Friederike Otto noted in their report that as global temperatures rise due to climate change, the dangers associated with extreme heat become more severe.

Analysis by WWA indicates that May temperatures in Mecca have reached levels comparable to the average peaks of June, July, and August from 1970-1990. Researchers used reanalysis data to compare current extreme heat events with pre-industrial conditions. Their findings suggest that while extreme heat was rare before the industrial era, much of the warming in the region has occurred since 1970.

The report highlights that daily maximum temperatures reaching 40 degrees Celsius, once a rare occurrence in May, are now becoming more frequent. Such conditions, previously expected only in June-August, are now anticipated every two to three years in May. Furthermore, peak temperatures in May have risen by approximately 2 degrees Celsius compared to past climate conditions, with the average May temperature increasing by about 3.5 degrees Celsius since the pre-industrial era. This trend suggests that extreme heatwaves are arriving earlier in Saudi Arabia due to climate change.

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As global temperatures rise due to climate change, the risks associated with these conditions become more severe.