Climate Change Pushes Mecca to 40C in May, Putting Hajj at Risk Almost Year-Round
Updated
Updated · The Guardian · May 28
Climate Change Pushes Mecca to 40C in May, Putting Hajj at Risk Almost Year-Round
6 articles · Updated · The Guardian · May 28
A new World Weather Attribution analysis found Mecca now reaches 40C in May every two to three years, exposing hajj pilgrims to heat once largely confined to summer.
The study said May temperatures average 3.5C above pre-warming levels because of fossil-fuel emissions, making hajj in May as dangerous as peak summer used to be.
More than 1,300 pilgrims died in the June 2024 hajj, underscoring the risk for an event that requires millions of worshippers to walk outdoors over five days.
Saudi Arabia has added shaded walkways, cooling stations, misting systems and expanded medical services, but researchers said adaptation alone cannot offset rising heat.
Because hajj shifts through the seasons on a 33-year lunar cycle, scientists warn dangerous heat could affect pilgrimages almost year-round by 2100 without rapid emissions cuts.
With rising death tolls, must the ancient rituals of Hajj be altered for pilgrims to survive in a hotter world?
Can Saudi Arabia's green energy push save its sacred pilgrimage from the heat fueled by its oil economy?
The 2024 Hajj Heatwave Crisis: 1,300+ Deaths, Climate Change, and Saudi Arabia’s Response
Overview
The 2024 Hajj pilgrimage was marked by a deadly heatwave during one of the hottest months in Saudi Arabia, leading to a significant loss of life among pilgrims. Many participants, especially the elderly, were particularly vulnerable to the extreme temperatures and suffered from heat-related illnesses. The crisis highlighted how climate change is making such events more dangerous, with rising temperatures and humidity increasing the risks for those undertaking the physically demanding rituals of the Hajj. This tragedy underscores the urgent need for better protection and adaptation strategies to safeguard pilgrims in the face of worsening heat.