health
February 19, 2026
The unbearable experience of walking in a heatwave from the future
Around the world, global heating is already causing more frequent heatwaves that last longer and bring more heat. Guardian Australia's Graham Readfearn has put his body to the test in an experiment see what effects the heatwaves of the future will have on humans. At the University of Sydney, he steps into a climate chamber that simulates the increased temperatures and humidity predicted in a rapidly warming climate. 'The sweat is stinging my eyes,' he says. 'It's 43C and the air is sticky and humid. It's getting hard to breath.'
TL;DR
- Global heating leads to more frequent, longer, and hotter heatwaves.
- Graham Readfearn underwent an experiment to test the effects of future heatwaves on human bodies.
- The experiment took place in a climate chamber at the University of Sydney.
- The chamber simulated high temperatures (43C) and humidity predicted for a warming climate.
- Readfearn described the conditions as difficult, with sweat stinging his eyes and making breathing hard.
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