This has turned out to be a tragic year for the annual Hajj pilgrimage, which is one of the largest religious gatherings in the world. The reported death toll, according to AFP, has crossed 1,000, with extreme heat being a major contributory factor. The shocking loss of life brings to the fore the increasing peril from climate change, as blistering temperatures are on an endless rise due to global warming. Of these, 90 were from India, thus making the impact of this disaster international.
The Timing of Hajj: A Climate Challenge
The Islamic lunar calendar determines a shift of about ten days each year in the timing of the Hajj pilgrimage. Although the Hajj slowly drifts into winter—cooler months—climate scientists find that by the 2040s, it will fall just right into the full glare of Saudi Arabia’s blistering summer. Fahad Saeed, a chief climate scientist at Climate Analytics in Pakistan, has made the strong statement that such an alignment would have disastrous consequences. “It is going to be very fatal,” Saeed told Reuters. “Heat-related deaths during Hajj are not new and have been recorded back to the 1400s, but the situation will get much worse as the world warms.”
One study was published in 2021 by Saeed, projecting alarming scenarios with his colleague Carl-Friedrich Schleussner. In the event that global temperatures increase by 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, heat-stroke risks for Hajj pilgrims will grow fivefold. For additional context, the world is currently on course to reach this level of warming in the 2030s—very disturbing. Several factors may make the pilgrims more vulnerable to heat-related illnesses, including lack of acclimatization to higher temperatures, acute physical exertion, old age, and exposure to elements. Last year, more than 2,000 people succumbed to heat stress during Hajj, according to Saudi officials.
Hajj and the Future: Insights Amidst Rising Temperatures
Despite the effort that Saudi Arabia is making to reduce the impact of extreme heat by building shaded areas, water points, and increasing healthcare capacity, all these measurements—against an increasing crisis—are still inadequate. “People are very religiously motivated. For some of them, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime affair,” clarified Saeed, underlining strong determination among the pilgrims to undertake Hajj despite the risk. “If they get a chance, they go for it.”
This staggering death toll during this year’s Hajj presents what climate change will bring in the future. The globally rising temperatures, if not checked, will pose an acute threat to human health and life during this year’s Hajj or other such outdoor events. Climate scientists and public health experts now join in the imperative call to take immediate actions to address the human-induced climate crisis. The message is not merely about safeguarding the sanctity of Hajj; it is also about millions of people around the world who are susceptible to the dangers of extreme heat.
Global Action on Climate Change
Global warming is a problem that calls for drastic, all-rounded actions to reduce its impacts. International cooperation and commitment are driving key actions to address the causes of greenhouse gas emissions by shifting to renewable sources of energy and installing resilient climate adaptation strategies. We need to take these actions to protect vulnerable populations from the destructive impacts.
As nearly 1.8 million pilgrims attend this year’s Hajj, the tragic events of this year are a shocking reminder of the need to engage with the climate emergency. Heat-related fatalities skyrocketed during the pilgrimage, underscoring the present danger posed by global warming. Unless the world gets up and does something regarding climate change fast, it risks other religious practices like Hajj becoming desecrated at best, in addition to ensuring health and safety for millions across the globe. Humanity has to come forward and rise to this unprecedented challenge.
