PH ranks 3rd in Asia for unusual heat linked to climate change

The Philippines ranked third among 51 Asian countries and territories experiencing unusual heat linked to climate change from December 2024 to February 2025, according to a study by the nonprofit Climate Central.

The country recorded 74 days with a Climate Shift Index (CSI) level of 2 or higher, indicating that climate change made such temperatures at least twice as likely.

Only Brunei (83 days) and the Maldives (81 days) had more days with elevated CSI levels.

Manila also ranked third among 38 megacities for experiencing heat strongly influenced by climate change for at least 30 days of the season, recording a CSI of level 2 for 69 days.

Globally, nearly 394 million people faced over 30 additional days of life-threatening heat due to climate change.

Kristina Dahl, vice president of science at Climate Central, warned that the escalating frequency and intensity of heat events signal a dangerous trend that will worsen with continued fossil fuel consumption.