Scorching Temperatures Elevate Negative Attitudes in People

In a groundbreaking research led by the MIT Sustainable Urbanization Lab, a team of researchers has uncovered the far-reaching effects of high temperatures on human emotional well-being worldwide. The study, titled "Unequal impacts of rising temperatures on global human sentiment," was published in the journal One Earth.

The research, supported by grants received by the authors, delves into the relationship between temperature and emotional well-being, highlighting some alarming findings. The study reveals that the effects of high temperatures on emotional well-being are three times greater in low- and middle-income countries than in high-income countries.

The researchers note that while social media users may not be a perfectly representative portion of the population, their findings suggest that the very young and elderly are particularly vulnerable to heat shocks. The study projects a 2.3 percent worsening of people's emotional well-being based on high temperatures by a certain future time.

The study adds to findings from prior studies that weather alters sentiment on a global scale. Interestingly, the research finds a non-linear relationship where moderate warming can improve sentiment in cooler regions, but temperatures above 35°C negatively impact emotional well-being globally.

The findings underscore the urgent need for climate policies that integrate emotional impacts and address inequalities in psychological climate vulnerability. The study's dataset is publicly available, providing a valuable resource for further research and policy-making.

The authors of the study are Ethan S. Berke, Jennifer M. Mankin, and Noah S. Diffenbaugh. Their work underscores the importance of considering the emotional impacts of climate change in our efforts to create a sustainable future.

Even accounting for climate adaptation through income growth, the study projects global average sentiment will be 2.3% lower in 2100 than in 2019 due to future warming. This research serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for action to combat climate change and protect the emotional well-being of people around the world.