Lead

Global heating has "fundamentally altered" the climate of Mecca, exposing millions of hajj pilgrims to extreme and dangerous heat even in months outside summer, according to new analysis by the World Weather Attribution group. The research, published Friday, warns that the annual Islamic pilgrimage is facing a shrinking window of safe conditions as temperatures continue to rise.

Coverage Comparison

The Guardian reported that carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuels mean scorching temperatures of 40°C (104°F) are now regularly experienced in May, whereas in past decades such peaks would only have occurred in summer. The Guardian also noted that over 1,300 pilgrims died due to extreme heat and humidity in 2024, when the hajj took place in June.

RFI's English service highlighted that temperatures in Mecca in May "are now typical of summer in the 1980s, as climate change shrinks the safe window" for the pilgrimage. RFI also reported that this year's gathering, which ends Friday, was again held in temperatures exceeding 40°C.

Both outlets cited the World Weather Attribution group, a UK-based scientific collaboration, as the source of the new study. The research found that by the end of the century, the hajj would take place amid dangerous heat almost all year round unless there was a rapid transition away from fossil fuels.

The hajj follows the Islamic lunar calendar, moving back about 11 days each year in the Gregorian calendar. This year's pilgrimage was held at the end of May and is expected to take place in mid-May next year. While the timing will gradually shift closer to winter, offering temporary respite, researchers said this would not be enough to offset rising temperatures.

Key Claims

  • Global heating has "fundamentally altered" the climate of Mecca, according to the World Weather Attribution study.
  • May temperatures of 40°C are now expected once every two to three years, a frequency that was rare in past decades.
  • The average temperature for May in Mecca is now 3.5°C hotter than before human-caused global heating, as reported by The Guardian.
  • Without a rapid transition away from fossil fuels, the hajj will take place amid dangerous heat almost all year round by the end of the century, the researchers said.
  • More than 1,300 pilgrims died due to extreme heat and humidity in 2024, when hajj was in June, as reported by The Guardian.
  • A 2024 study found that Saudi Arabia's state-owned oil company Aramco generated 1.7 billion tonnes of CO2 in 2024, much of it linked to oil exports, according to RFI.
  • Half of 2024 global emissions were produced by just 32 fossil fuel firms, a study cited by RFI found.
  • Saudi authorities have introduced heat action plans, including shaded walkways, cooling stations, misting systems and expanded medical services, which have helped reduce heat-related illnesses among pilgrims, The Guardian reported.

Perspectives

Researchers (World Weather Attribution): The scientists argue that reactive measures are insufficient. Prof Friederike Otto of Imperial College London, an author of the study, said: "This requires more than just reactive mitigation," underscoring the need for a rapid transition away from fossil fuels.

Saudi authorities: While not directly quoted in the analyzed reports, the Saudi authorities' heat action plans—shaded walkways, cooling stations, misting systems, and expanded medical services—demonstrate an active response to protect pilgrims, with reported success in reducing heat-related illnesses.