Heat

Heat

Heat is a massive driving force behind climate change. Weather and ecosystems are very sensitive to heat, and a rise in temperatures will alter and disrupt its delicate balance. Living beings also suffer greatly under high heat.

Heat is a massive driving force behind climate change. Weather and ecosystems are very sensitive to heat, and a rise in temperatures will alter and disrupt its delicate balance. Living beings also suffer greatly under high heat.

Humid Heat
Workability

Humid Heat

Humid heat stress occurs when the body cannot cool itself effectively in hot conditions. When the body is overheated, the body usually cools itself through sweating, which takes the heat away when it evaporates. However, in conditions of high humidity and high temperatures evaporation is less effective to cool the body down. 


When a combined measurement of heat and humidity (Wet Bulb Globe Temperature, or WBGT) surpasses  around 35°C, the body is no longer able to cool itself through sweating. At this stage, there is a higher risk of serious health conditions such as heat exhaustion, heat stroke, and even death.

Humid Heat Stress at End of Century

Projections are for 2071-2100 average

Current situation

Current situation

Scenario at +2.5°C warming (2071-2100)

Heat Stress Threat Threshold and Work/Rest Period as Provided by the US Navy

The projections for Sabah suggest that the lowlands of Sabah would experience high to extreme risk of heat stress. The most likely impacted communities would be the farmers, rubber tappers, and the palm oil workers. It is highly likely to affect the health of outdoor workers, potentially leading to lifelong illnesses or even death from overheating. 

Such high humid heat stresses can also decrease productivity, as workers can’t work outside as long in the daytime, affecting all groups of outdoor workers.

Data layer download: WBGT - Sun

Research source: Bernard & Iheanacho (2015) , United States Navy

Workability

Workability here refers to heat-induced labour loss. As temperature and humidity rises, humid heat stress will start taking heavy tolls on outdoor workers. Productivity will decrease as workers are unable to work long in the outdoor sun, as well as due to the heat stress illnesses that the workers may suffer.


In May 2024, we learned of extreme heat waves that are already happening in South and Southeast Asia (1) raising vulnerabilities for densely populated communities in neighbouring Philippines, India, Bangladesh and Pakistan. Rising heat-related illnesses and deaths elsewhere are indicators of what’s to come for Sabah.

Workability here refers to heat-induced labour loss, with a focus on heavy manual labour. As temperature and humidity rises, humid heat stress will start taking heavy tolls on outdoor workers. Productivity will decrease as workers are unable to work long in the outdoor sun, as well as due to the heat stress illnesses that the workers may suffer.


In May 2024, we learned of extreme heatwaves that are already happening in South and Southeast Asia (1) raising vulnerabilities for densely populated communities in neighburing Philippines, India, Bangladesh and Pakistan. Rising heat-related illnesses and deaths elsewhere are indicator of what’s to come for Sabah

Data layer download: WBGT - Workability

Research source: He et al. (2022)

(1) Extreme heatwaves in south and south-east Asia are a sign of things to come, The Conversation

  • Heat

    Heat is a major driver of climate change, significantly affecting weather patterns and ecosystems. Rising temperatures disrupt the delicate balance of these systems and increase heat risks to people.

    Learn More

  • Water

    Water is crucial for all life, determining where plants, animals, and people live. Climate change disrupts the weather patterns that affect rain and water availability.

    Learn More

  • Livelihood

    Our livelihoods are closely tied to the environment, with our agriculture and settlements relying on local climate conditions. As climate change disrupts these environments, food security and standard of living will face growing challenges.

    Learn More

  • Environment

    The environment is a sensitive system that can be disrupted by changes in temperature, rainfall, and extreme weather events. These environmental changes pose risks that may be difficult for people, plants, and animals to properly adapt to.

    Learn More

  • Heat

    Heat is a major driver of climate change, significantly affecting weather patterns and ecosystems. Rising temperatures disrupt the delicate balance of these systems and increase heat risks to people.

    Learn More

  • Water

    Water is crucial for all life, determining where plants, animals, and people live. Climate change disrupts the weather patterns that affect rain and water availability.

    Learn More

  • Livelihood

    Our livelihoods are closely tied to the environment, with our agriculture and settlements relying on local climate conditions. As climate change disrupts these environments, food security and standard of living will face growing challenges.

    Learn More

  • Environment

    The environment is a sensitive system that can be disrupted by changes in temperature, rainfall, and extreme weather events. These environmental changes pose risks that may be difficult for people, plants, and animals to properly adapt to.

    Learn More

  • Heat

    Heat is a major driver of climate change, significantly affecting weather patterns and ecosystems. Rising temperatures disrupt the delicate balance of these systems and increase heat risks to people.

    Learn More

  • Water

    Water is crucial for all life, determining where plants, animals, and people live. Climate change disrupts the weather patterns that affect rain and water availability.

    Learn More

  • Livelihood

    Our livelihoods are closely tied to the environment, with our agriculture and settlements relying on local climate conditions. As climate change disrupts these environments, food security and standard of living will face growing challenges.

    Learn More

  • Environment

    The environment is a sensitive system that can be disrupted by changes in temperature, rainfall, and extreme weather events. These environmental changes pose risks that may be difficult for people, plants, and animals to properly adapt to.

    Learn More

  • Heat

    Heat is a major driver of climate change, significantly affecting weather patterns and ecosystems. Rising temperatures disrupt the delicate balance of these systems and increase heat risks to people.

    Learn More

  • Water

    Water is crucial for all life, determining where plants, animals, and people live. Climate change disrupts the weather patterns that affect rain and water availability.

    Learn More

  • Livelihood

    Our livelihoods are closely tied to the environment, with our agriculture and settlements relying on local climate conditions. As climate change disrupts these environments, food security and standard of living will face growing challenges.

    Learn More

  • Environment

    The environment is a sensitive system that can be disrupted by changes in temperature, rainfall, and extreme weather events. These environmental changes pose risks that may be difficult for people, plants, and animals to properly adapt to.

    Learn More

  • Heat

    Heat is a major driver of climate change, significantly affecting weather patterns and ecosystems. Rising temperatures disrupt the delicate balance of these systems and increase heat risks to people.

    Learn More

  • Water

    Water is crucial for all life, determining where plants, animals, and people live. Climate change disrupts the weather patterns that affect rain and water availability.

    Learn More

  • Livelihood

    Our livelihoods are closely tied to the environment, with our agriculture and settlements relying on local climate conditions. As climate change disrupts these environments, food security and standard of living will face growing challenges.

    Learn More

  • Environment

    The environment is a sensitive system that can be disrupted by changes in temperature, rainfall, and extreme weather events. These environmental changes pose risks that may be difficult for people, plants, and animals to properly adapt to.

    Learn More

  • Heat

    Heat is a major driver of climate change, significantly affecting weather patterns and ecosystems. Rising temperatures disrupt the delicate balance of these systems and increase heat risks to people.

    Learn More

  • Water

    Water is crucial for all life, determining where plants, animals, and people live. Climate change disrupts the weather patterns that affect rain and water availability.

    Learn More

  • Livelihood

    Our livelihoods are closely tied to the environment, with our agriculture and settlements relying on local climate conditions. As climate change disrupts these environments, food security and standard of living will face growing challenges.

    Learn More

  • Environment

    The environment is a sensitive system that can be disrupted by changes in temperature, rainfall, and extreme weather events. These environmental changes pose risks that may be difficult for people, plants, and animals to properly adapt to.

    Learn More