Singapore Faces Heatwaves and Rare Dengue Surge Amid Climate Change – New Report Reveals the Threat

Climate‑Heat: Why Your Biceps Might Be in Tow

Ever heard of “heat‑fatigue”? It’s the ugly cousin of a sweat‑soaked workout and the sun’s way of saying it’s not the best time to hit the treadmill. A new Lancet Countdown report shows that, thanks to global warming, the very day‑times we used to love exercising are now more likely to turn into a sauna session.

From 3.1 Billion Extra Days to a Strain on Your Fitness Budget

In 2020, seniors over 65 endured a staggering 3.1 billion extra days of heatwaves compared with the 1986‑2005 baseline. The figure translates to, well, 35 extra hot‑summer days, every year, for every elderly person in the world.

How Researchers Get the Scoop

More than 90 scientists—including two from the National University of Singapore—integrated 44 climate‑health indicators, ranging from the death toll of extreme weather to the threat of food shortages. They whittled down that data into a fresh, action‑ready index measuring how heat affects exercise habits.

Singapore’s Sun‑Sensing Scientists

Associate Professor Jason Lee (NUS, Yong Loo Lin School) spearheaded the “heat vs. exercise” module, discovering that islands in the tropics lost almost five hours of daily physical activity in 2020.
Dr Samuel H. Gunther, a research fellow in the same team, added: “Our analysis of three decades of data shows that. When the sunshine turns into a sauna, folks simply can’t move around, and short‑term health costs go up.”
Prof Lee also warns that countries with higher Human Development Index scores—like Singapore—are oddly more susceptible to dengue spikes and heat extremes, because warmer weather speeds up mosquito breeding.

The Left‑Handed Slice of Inequality

The Lancet’s narrative isn’t just about fitness; it’s a stark reminder that low‑income countries suffer the most from the climate crisis, while contributing the least to it. “Many countries are under‑prepared for the health effects of climate change,” the report states.

What’s Next? Glasgow 2025

The looming UN climate summit in Glasgow—just ten days away—offers a chance to nail down new commitments to keep global warming under 2 °C (and ideally 1.5 °C).

Until then, the takeaway is clear: stay hydrated, keep cool, and remember that your muscles are as affected by the planet as your mind.

Dengue on the Rise: Why Singapore’s Summer is Feeling a Little Too Warm

Picture This: 4,400+ Dengue Cases and a Tiny “Boo‑Ha‑Ha” of a Virus

Last month’s Facebook note from the National Environment Agency (NEA) shocked crowds with more than 4,400 dengue cases so far this year.
From Sept 19 onward, the city’s frantic mosquito brigade has recorded over 100 new cases every week.
In 2021 there emerged a side‑kick — the once‑rare DenV‑3 strain — a virus Singapore hasn’t seen in 30 years.
Low immunity means it’s a real threat; the NEA spotted two large clusters of DenV‑3 since September.
Methodical warning from the agency: “Starting 2022 with an unusually high case count could tip us into a full‑blown outbreak next year.”

The City Gets Hotder: Why Your Thermometer Is Reading Higher Than Ever

Singapore’s indoor air feels like a furnace of its own. The NEA’s Meteorological Service reports temperatures now 1.8 °C above 1948 levels.
Peak comparison: global warming averages roughly 1.1 °C since pre‑industrial times, making our island appear like the hot spot of the planet.
A super‑cool effect called the Urban Heat Island keeps heat trapped in city structures, releasing it at night and giving us endless heatwaves.

Who’s at the Frontline of Heat Stress (and How It Feels)

Senior citizens with heart disease may suddenly feel the heat crunch; the body tries to cool itself by shuffling blood from vital organs to the skin.
This tug‑of‑war can collapse the heart’s workload, leading to fainting or worse.
Construction workers and hawkers — the breath of Singapore’s streets — are another group at risk; their long days under the sun make them highly susceptible to heat‑related complications.
Prof Lee, an expert on climate‑health effects, is monitoring temperature pill data from a handful of hawkers in Pasir Panjang to gauge real‑time heat stress.
By mid‑2022 he plans to expand to construction sites, testing core temperatures, hydration, and living conditions to map risk landscapes.

Turning Data into Action: “Heat‑Proof” Our Lives

Prof Lee urges that a future of heatwave‑driven illness cannot be tackled by apprehension alone.
He argues that people must “heat‑proof” themselves by engaging in more ⬜ aerobic workouts—a heart‑strengthening strategy to better manage blood flow during heat.
Our future security hinges on building resilience at the individual level and in workplace practices.

Bottom Line: This is Not a Myth, It’s a Reality!

The signs are clear: dengue is on the rise while temperatures have surged.
Every one of us—whether a hawker surfing the waves of a hawker stall or an elder trying to stay cool—needs to step up.
Short on time? Take heart (literally) and start stretching those ad‑venturous cardio sessions.
Our city’s future depends on how many of us can rise above the heat, both literally and metaphorically.

Originally published in The Straits Times. Permission required for reproduction.

Singapore Faces Heatwaves and Rare Dengue Surge Amid Climate Change – New Report Reveals the Threat

Climate‑Heat: Why Your Biceps Might Be in Tow