Spanish cities uninhabitable in 2050

Have you ever wondered what it will be like to live in Spain in 25 years if temperatures continue to rise? In the wake of NASA’s Too Hot to Handle: How Climate Change May Make Some Places Too Hot to Live, we’ve begun to envision a scenario that might be hard to imagine: some regions of Spain will face such prolonged heat that daily life could become uphill.

Global warming and its impact beyond the numbers

By now, many of us have already noticed changes in the climate: longer and longer heat waves, droughts that deplete water reserves, more frequent forest fires and storms that leave their mark. Spain, with its dry, temperate climate, would not be immune. In fact, NASA has found that continuous temperatures of 35 degrees Celsius with high humidity for six hours break the human body’s ability to self-regulate. The use of satellite data and the wet bulb index has made it possible to project a future in which several areas of the country would suffer limiting conditions.

Regions in the spotlight

If these projections are confirmed, Madrid, the Valencian Community and Andalusia could see extreme heat last more than three months of the year. Cities such as Seville, Malaga, Granada and Cordoba, accustomed to intense summers, would face even more hot weeks. While they would not reach humidity levels as harsh as in Southeast Asia or the Persian Gulf, we have identified that these prolonged temperatures will impact health, the economy and infrastructure. Imagine having to design buildings with more advanced cooling systems or rethink work schedules to avoid the sweltering afternoon heat.

Spain on the global chessboard

This phenomenon is not exclusive to the Iberian Peninsula. The whole planet is taking note: in Death Valley, it was over 53 degrees; in Las Vegas, the record was broken with almost 49 degrees; and in Pakistan, 52 degrees have been measured in the last few weeks. Everything indicates that global warming knows no borders. Spain, due to its location in the Mediterranean, is in the front line of the problem.

Strategies towards 2050

Against this backdrop, many experts point to the importance of anticipation. In the coming years, it will be key:

• Sustainable urbanism: We have learned that increasing green areas can lower the temperature in urban centers.
• Renewable energies: Despite advances in solar and wind energy, the challenge is to expand their use and reduce carbon emissions.
• Advanced water management: Technologies are already being developed to detect water leaks and optimize water resources.
• Cooling technology: In the near future, buildings with reflective materials and bioclimatic designs could make a difference.

These initiatives not only contribute to habitability, but also strengthen Spain’s resilience to future crises.

A decisive moment

NASA’s conclusions are not intended to cause unfounded alarm, but rather to appeal to governments, businesses and citizens. Instead of resigning ourselves, we can take this report as a compass to guide us towards innovative solutions. If Spain concentrates its efforts on clean energy, environmental education and urban adaptation, it could become a global benchmark. Can you imagine being part of that transformation?