Extreme heat causes severe physical and cognitive decline, experts warn
Rising summer temperatures are severely impacting human health, degrading physiological and cognitive functions, according to researchers.
The heatwaves of summer 2026 have severely impacted human health, ecosystems, and infrastructure across affected regions. Speaking on the "Chaleur humaine" podcast, Christian Clot, explorer and president of the Human Adaptation Institute, warned that extreme temperatures lead to "significant degradation of physiological and cognitive functions."
Clot highlighted the growing physical, mental, and social risks associated with rising global temperatures. Prolonged exposure to extreme heat compromises body regulation and impairs decision-making capabilities, posing broader societal challenges. Experts emphasize the need for proactive adaptation strategies to prepare populations and infrastructure for increasingly frequent heat events in the future.
Sources: Le Monde