People losing sleep in big cities due to high night-time temperatures: Study, Pg9

Key Highlights:

• A new study revealed people in major Indian cities are losing between 65 and 93 hours of sleep annually due to climate change-induced high night-time temperatures.
• Chennai recorded the highest overall sleep loss in India, with residents losing an average of 93 hours of sleep annually.
• The study by Climate Central, a US-based climate advocacy group, found that 10% of global sleep loss is directly attributable to human-induced climate change.
• Bengaluru showed the highest climate change footprint on sleep loss, accounting for 12% of its 67 hours lost annually.

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Detailed Insights:

• High night-time temperatures prevent the human body from cooling down, leading to discomfort and reduced productivity.
• This condition increases health risks such as strokes and cardiovascular conditions, and can shorten life expectancy.
• Night-time temperatures globally have increased at a faster rate compared to day-time temperatures due to climate change.
• The study assessed sleep loss in over 1,300 cities worldwide, including more than 100 Indian cities.
• Residents of Mumbai and Kolkata are losing 84 and 80 hours of sleep annually, respectively.
• Delhi and Chandigarh experienced some of the lowest sleep loss among Indian cities studied, at 67 and 62 hours per year.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Climate Change: Long-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns, primarily caused by human activities.
• Heat Stress: The body's inability to cool itself down, leading to physiological strain and potential health issues.