Oz billionaire turns climate evangelist, cautions against ‘lethal humidity’

Subject: Geography

Section: Physical geography

Context:

Andrew Forrest, Australia’s second richest man and Chairman of the Fortescue group of companies, has been going around the world flagging an under-realised consequence of climate change—lethal humidity.

Lethal humidity:

The term was coined by Andrew Forrest.
It refers to a very bad situation of rising humidity because of hot air scooping more ocean waters. With high humidity, our sweat cannot cool us.
Such high humidity could be lethal. Rising body temperatures result in endotoxins released from gut flora, poisoning the bloodstream—the first to die are babies and the elderly.
No country or city is free from the risk of ‘lethal humidity’.

Andrew Forest’s efforts for environmental conservation:

The carbon-centric lifestyle of the developed world was chiefly responsible for climate change.
He is emphasizing the decarbonisation of the company’s operations—running mining equipment on green fuel or buying green power for its operations.
One of its tricks is a freight train that runs downhill one way and uphill the other—batteries on the train charge themselves while the train is sliding downhill; the stored energy is used to run the train on the return journey.

High humidity and human health:

High humidity can have an adverse effect on the human body. Because the air feels warmer than the official, recorded temperature, it can contribute to feelings of low energy and lethargy.
In addition, hyperthermia, or overheating as a result of your body’s inability to effectively let out heat, can negatively impact your health in conditions of high humidity. Some health risks which result from overexposure to humidity (hyperthermia) include:
- Dehydration
- Fatigue
- Muscle cramps
- Heat exhaustion
- Fainting
- Heat stroke

Source of this article: TH Businessline