Every degree higher worsens the devastation for those on the climate frontline, says WaterAid

on
6 September 2024
Image: WaterAid/ Abir Abdullah


Summer 2024 was the Earth's warmest on record, according to the Copernicus Climate Change Service.
 

Caroline Maxwell, Global Head of Climate Campaigns at WaterAid, responds:
 

“Today's news that summer 2024 was the hottest on record underscores rising global temperatures and the increasing unpredictability of extreme weather. These aren't just numbers - every degree higher fuels the climate crisis and worsens the devastation for those on the climate frontline.

 

"The persistent warming trend is prolonging and intensifying drought across the world, leaving millions without the water sources they need to survive – as ever, it’s those who have done the least to cause this crisis suffering the most.

 

“As we countdown to COP29, world leaders must take concrete action by doubling public finance for climate adaptation and prioritising action on water security in the communities that need it most. No one can adapt to a world without water.”

 

ENDS

For media queries please contact: Emma Sutton-Smith, [email protected], or call our press line on 020 7793 4537  .

Notes to editors

About WaterAid

WaterAid is an international not-for-profit determined to make clean water, decent toilets and good hygiene normal for everyone, everywhere within a generation. We work alongside communities in 22 countries to secure these three essentials that transform people’s lives. Since 1981, WaterAid has reached 28 million people with clean water and nearly 29 million people with decent toilets.

For more information, visit our website wateraid.org; follow us on Twitter @WaterAidUK, @WaterAid or @WaterAidPress; or find us on Facebook, LinkedIn or Instagram.

  • 703 million people in the world – almost one in ten – don’t have clean water close to home.
  • 2.2 billion people in the world – more than one in four – don’t have safe water.
  • 1.5 billion people in the world – almost one in five – don’t have a decent toilet of their own.
  • Almost 400,000 children under five die every year due to diseases caused by unsafe water, sanitation and hygiene. That's more than 1000 children a day, or almost one child every one and a half minutes.2

1: WHO/UNICEF (2023), Progress on household drinking water, sanitation and hygiene 2000-2022: special focus on gender (accessed 11 Jul 2023)

2: WHO (2023), Burden of disease attributable to unsafe drinking-water, sanitation and hygiene: 2019 update (accessed 24 Jul 2023)

3: WaterAid (2021), Mission-critical: Invest in water, sanitation and hygiene for a healthy and green economic recovery (accessed 1 Nov 2023).

 


 

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