Climate change doubles heat-related sleep loss in 50 years — Report
Climate change has at least doubled heat-related sleep loss in major cities worldwide over the past five decades, with rising nighttime temperatures posing growing risks to human health, according to a new. . .
Climate change has at least doubled heat-related sleep loss in major cities worldwide over the past five decades, with rising nighttime temperatures posing growing risks to human health, according to a new analysis by Climate Central. The study, which examined 1,338 major cities, found that the average person lost nearly 56 hours of sleep annually between 2020 and 2025 due to high nighttime temperatures. More than 10 per cent of the lost sleep was attributed to climate change, driven largely by fossil fuel emissions and deforestation. According to the analysis, this is the first study to quantify the number of sleep hours lost because of climate change by combining climate attribution science with research on the effects of heat on sleep. The report found that climate change-related sleep loss has at least doubled since the early 1970s in almost every city analysed. Residents of cities across the Middle East recorded the highest levels of climate-related sleep loss, while southern India, Southeast Asia and parts of West Africa, including Nigeria, Niger and Burkina Faso, also experienced significant sleep disruption. ALSO READ:5 reasons why getting enough sleep is importantAccording to the report, people in some West African cities lost more than 65 hours of sleep annually due to high nighttime temperatures, with about 10 to 11 of those hours directly linked to climate change. Climate experts warned that rising overnight temperatures make it harder for the body to cool down and recover from daytime heat, increasing the risk of cardiovascular diseases, stroke, poor mental health, reduced productivity and premature death. The report also noted that infants, older adults, pregnant women and low-income populations are among the most vulnerable because of limited access to cooling systems and quality housing. Climate Central’s Vice President for Science, Dr Kristina Dahl, said the findings highlight another hidden consequence of global warming. “This analysis reveals how climate change is translating into measurable hours of lost sleep for people around the world. Across more than 1,300 cities, climate change has at least doubled temperature-related sleep loss since the early 1970s,” she said. Chair of the Global Climate and Health Alliance, Dr Courtney Howard, said inadequate sleep weakens the immune system and increases the risk of chronic illnesses, accidents and reduced workplace performance. She stressed the need for governments to invest in adaptation measures while accelerating efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The researchers added that nighttime temperatures are rising faster than daytime temperatures as global warming intensifies, making sleep disruption an increasingly serious public health challenge. WATCH TOP VIDEOS FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE TVBack to School, Back to Business A Fresh StartRelationship Hangout: Public vs Private Proposals – Which Truly Wins in Love?“No” Is a Complete Sentence: Why You Should Stop Feeling GuiltyRelationship Hangout: Friendship Talk 2025 – How to Be a Good Friend & Big Questions on FriendshipPolice Overpower Armed Robbers in Ibadan After Fierce StruggleGet real-time news updates from Tribune Online! Follow us on WhatsApp for breaking news, exclusive stories and interviews, and much more. Join our WhatsApp Channel now