Romanians will spend less time outdoors due to global warming. How many days of “comfortable weather” will we lose by 2100

Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have developed an innovative new way to measure the real impact of global warming. Several European countries could lose more than 30 days of “comfortable weather” per year. In Europe, the Balkan countries are the most affected by climate change. Romania will also be affected, but less than other countries.

For most people, deciphering the impact of rising temperatures on their daily lives is not easy. Global warming of 1.5 or 2 C on average is hard to imagine. To try to solve this problem, researchers from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have come up with an innovative new way to measure this change in real life and predict the long-term effects, writes Euronews.

Using data from 50 different climate models, they plotted how the number of “outdoor days” in various destinations around the world will increase or decrease by 2100.

In tropical countries there will be the biggest changes

These “outdoor days” refer to 24-hour periods when temperatures are pleasant enough for most people to do outdoor activities, either for work or for leisure. These are days when it’s not too hot or too cold, which scientists consider to be roughly between 10 and 25 degrees Celsius and no extreme weather events.

An online tool developed by MIT researchers allows people to set their own temperature range when checking their country’s data, based on what they think is comfortable weather.

The MIT study found that tropical destinations will see the biggest changes on days with possible outdoor activities. The Dominican Republic will take the biggest hit, losing 124 days of comfortable weather per year by the end of the century. Mexico, India, Thailand and Egypt will lose half of their outdoor days.

The researchers also point to a gap between the Global North, which will gain more days of comfortable weather, and the Global South, which will lose more despite having emitted fewer greenhouse gases. The differences in places like Bangladesh or Sudan are striking, they say.

Which countries in Europe will lose the most “outdoor days” by 2100

There is also a north-south divide in Europe when it comes to outdoor days. In the north there will be more days with comfortable weather as the winters are warm, in the south the extreme heat during the summer months will reduce the number of days outdoors.

According to MIT data, the Balkans will likely be one of the most affected regions in Europe. Albania will lose 30 days, Serbia 26 days, Croatia 22 days, North Macedonia 21 days, Bulgaria 17 days, Kosovo 19 days and Romania 12 days.

A little further south, Greece could lose 37 outdoor days per year by 2100 due to extreme heat between May and September, the MIT study shows.

The Iberian Peninsula will also see changes, with Portugal recording 33 fewer outdoor days and Spain 13.

Researchers say the disparity in Europe is already being felt, with people choosing where to travel based on increasingly extreme heat in previously popular destinations.

Although northern European countries are likely to gain outdoor days due to climate change, it’s not all good news either.

France, Germany and Austria will gain between 18 and 52 days of comfortable weather by 2100 – largely thanks to warmer winters, but this could be a fatal blow to Europe’s already struggling ski industry.

Publisher: MI

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