Responsible for more deaths than all natural disasters combined, are heatwaves really getting worse?
Some parts of Australia have already experienced temperatures more than 15°C above October averages this year, with the Bureau of Meteorology warning we’re likely to face another “hotter-than-normal summer”.
The need to engineer strategies to address the impact of rising global temperatures is clear. The United Nations has stated that the world has missed its chance to keep global warming within 1.5°C.
The world is described as being “on the brink” in the seventh annual State of the Climate report, released this week.
In Australia, climate targets remain politically contentious, slowing the introduction of changes designed to address the dangers of increased heat.
Because heatwaves kill more than all other natural disasters combined. And they’re expected to double in frequency by 2050.
Temperature anomaly
Data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in the US reveals a clear trend towards hotter temperatures over time, and has broken down the data month by month.
The below heatmap charts the global monthly temperature anomaly from January 1880 to August 2025, relative to the 1901-2000 average.
This means the temperature of a given month – December, say – is compared to the average temperature of all Decembers from 1901-2000.
Heat impacts
The Climate Council outlines what increased temperatures mean for communities across Australia. Use the dropdown menu to learn more.
By the middle of the century, Alice Springs could experience a whole extra month of days above 35°C.
Brisbane may be exposed to three times as many days over 35°C by 2050 and many more uncomfortably warm nights.
By 2050, the number of days over 35°C could almost double for Broome in Western Australia.
Darwin could experience four times as many days over 35°C each year by mid-century.
By mid-century, the extreme temperatures Hobart experienced over the 2019-20 summer could become the norm.
Summer heatwaves in Melbourne now start on average 17 days earlier and are more frequent, longer-lasting and more intense.
Perth could swelter through twice as many days above 35°C by 2050.
Western Sydney could also suffer twice as many days above 35°C, like Perth – that means three weeks above 35°C every summer.
What can be done?
We’ve already outlined approaches engineers are taking to protect the built environment – and the people who use those spaces.
Take the Australian company ClearVue, which is developing a transparent PV glass that makes efficient use of the light coming through the window. It generates solar power by redirecting UV and infrared light to edge-mounted PV cells. This reduces solar heat gain while allowing visible light through for natural daylight and clarity.
Or the use of green roofs – covering buildings with vegetation, ensuring they absorb less heat than with conventional roofing, lower indoor temperatures and reduce cooling demand.
Our immersive feature on engineering a heat-proof city outlines more strategies, with input from Jessica Holz CPEng, Associate, Sustainability at Aurecon and UNSW’s Professor Matthaios Santamouris. Click below to learn more.
![[Free Download] The hidden hazard: Why effective surface drainage is key to walkable public spaces](https://createdigital.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2000/10/ACO-PTY-LTD-75x75.jpg)
The world only has one atmosphere. So until countries like China, India, Indonesia and US stop building coal fired power stations, the world will get nowhere. In 2024, China built CFPS that produced 3 times Australia’s TOTAL electricity output. CFPS last for about 60 years, so a long way to go yet.
Also, why do we only focus on CFPS? Can the whole world reduce transport emissions – planes, trucks, cars, etc. Especially cruise ships. Surely, they can be reduced – a complete luxury.