![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/VJCSI6XCRVGIVIC2HUQEWU4UFU.jpg?smart=true&auth=bc618b51da20e8928d04d2fb6f2faa007084ab742a0987082fd0467a7d81df13&width=400&height=225)
People struggle in the baking sun at the Acropolis in Athens
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/5CAOQV7QPBA4TGAB7YVZMN63JQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=b0c044aece46c3179201fae730f245fc821d8fdeed33fae2c47772bd9232821d&width=400&height=225)
Wildfire in Ogan Ilir on the Indonesian island of Sumatra. Such fires were commonplace in 2023, which scientists have confirmed as the hottest year on record. All photos: Getty Images
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/TR54ALUAPZF53B6BAZV3Y5F4PQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=50954bfeb168165b1b6f410c20ee7d5d3fd346c14eab3806818f32cc6bb8136e&width=400&height=225)
Dwindling water levels at Woodhead Reservoir in Glossop, England, during the UK's hottest June on record
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/V467KJU6L5H3VMSUWRWBAICAKI.jpg?smart=true&auth=d9de8d5a49cb4af80a0571b0b0ecf3405593731ff7bfc28b4a087ebd00d59d5e&width=400&height=225)
A crowded beach in Rio de Janeiro during a record heatwave in Brazil
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/IBXBGY2L65G3DNTEXOJ34DRIMY.jpg?smart=true&auth=8e456cca42b134a2e8b49d1d1204c4f7f7933b0552babab359040b8ba4fd8b73&width=400&height=225)
A digital thermometer in Madrid
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/N2YWZM7F4ZDQDHEXCYLZERETQE.jpg?smart=true&auth=2948c0b0a5a2d3fe51f5a6fd2f5654ff6f4d1ab00d2d600d44c2408a3bb2d280&width=400&height=225)
Burnt-out shops along the coast road in Kiotari, Rhodes, after the Greek island was ravaged by wildfires
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/4NWYRCORYNCMXIQDXMLZTE5JTQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=5a24cc077c9f169adaacff47ec9d934939e3ad68011075810aa10bfe90949998&width=400&height=225)
A woman cools herself down with a fan in Beijing
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/NAXHWBFUXNBNFDDRZNQYQV4BAA.jpg?smart=true&auth=d508ffd23e5190e89b1514107ab7ae0b7caee451493ecb15a54d7672d7c7ce64&width=400&height=225)
People brave the high temperatures on Blackpool beach in England
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/SEZH67NN55BAHHALOMPUD45LGY.jpg?smart=true&auth=2f2876a1c094eacd2f1ad2a63723649af99bc2f6c6dbe4d1c50a21b1c2a987a2&width=400&height=225)
A man prepares to fight flames as they engulf a hillside in Apollana, Rhodes
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/H5EOVBXSYBFKTKQYZVZXFUVU3E.jpg?smart=true&auth=720c2d98b446a1e8eb49cb4469a6bea8a4f1cb83531e92f1c410614c9da35866&width=400&height=225)
A woman drinks from a public fountain during a sizzling heatwave in Madrid
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/YSVROU4VKBDP5KGZBUFSYFEHQM.jpg?smart=true&auth=9c133a49f95d533c0ae04f5b86505e0b7c1ea9ef2bc9062d3d309740b96e3632&width=400&height=225)
A raging wildfire outside in Newcastle, Australia
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/VJCSI6XCRVGIVIC2HUQEWU4UFU.jpg?smart=true&auth=bc618b51da20e8928d04d2fb6f2faa007084ab742a0987082fd0467a7d81df13&width=400&height=225)
People struggle in the baking sun at the Acropolis in Athens
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/5CAOQV7QPBA4TGAB7YVZMN63JQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=b0c044aece46c3179201fae730f245fc821d8fdeed33fae2c47772bd9232821d&width=400&height=225)
Wildfire in Ogan Ilir on the Indonesian island of Sumatra. Such fires were commonplace in 2023, which scientists have confirmed as the hottest year on record. All photos: Getty Images
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/TR54ALUAPZF53B6BAZV3Y5F4PQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=50954bfeb168165b1b6f410c20ee7d5d3fd346c14eab3806818f32cc6bb8136e&width=400&height=225)
Dwindling water levels at Woodhead Reservoir in Glossop, England, during the UK's hottest June on record
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/V467KJU6L5H3VMSUWRWBAICAKI.jpg?smart=true&auth=d9de8d5a49cb4af80a0571b0b0ecf3405593731ff7bfc28b4a087ebd00d59d5e&width=400&height=225)
A crowded beach in Rio de Janeiro during a record heatwave in Brazil
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/IBXBGY2L65G3DNTEXOJ34DRIMY.jpg?smart=true&auth=8e456cca42b134a2e8b49d1d1204c4f7f7933b0552babab359040b8ba4fd8b73&width=400&height=225)
A digital thermometer in Madrid
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/N2YWZM7F4ZDQDHEXCYLZERETQE.jpg?smart=true&auth=2948c0b0a5a2d3fe51f5a6fd2f5654ff6f4d1ab00d2d600d44c2408a3bb2d280&width=400&height=225)
Burnt-out shops along the coast road in Kiotari, Rhodes, after the Greek island was ravaged by wildfires
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/4NWYRCORYNCMXIQDXMLZTE5JTQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=5a24cc077c9f169adaacff47ec9d934939e3ad68011075810aa10bfe90949998&width=400&height=225)
A woman cools herself down with a fan in Beijing
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/NAXHWBFUXNBNFDDRZNQYQV4BAA.jpg?smart=true&auth=d508ffd23e5190e89b1514107ab7ae0b7caee451493ecb15a54d7672d7c7ce64&width=400&height=225)
People brave the high temperatures on Blackpool beach in England
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/SEZH67NN55BAHHALOMPUD45LGY.jpg?smart=true&auth=2f2876a1c094eacd2f1ad2a63723649af99bc2f6c6dbe4d1c50a21b1c2a987a2&width=400&height=225)
A man prepares to fight flames as they engulf a hillside in Apollana, Rhodes
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/H5EOVBXSYBFKTKQYZVZXFUVU3E.jpg?smart=true&auth=720c2d98b446a1e8eb49cb4469a6bea8a4f1cb83531e92f1c410614c9da35866&width=400&height=225)
A woman drinks from a public fountain during a sizzling heatwave in Madrid
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/YSVROU4VKBDP5KGZBUFSYFEHQM.jpg?smart=true&auth=9c133a49f95d533c0ae04f5b86505e0b7c1ea9ef2bc9062d3d309740b96e3632&width=400&height=225)
A raging wildfire outside in Newcastle, Australia
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/VJCSI6XCRVGIVIC2HUQEWU4UFU.jpg?smart=true&auth=bc618b51da20e8928d04d2fb6f2faa007084ab742a0987082fd0467a7d81df13&width=400&height=225)
People struggle in the baking sun at the Acropolis in Athens