The world’s hottest city is becoming known for its Old Testament-like events caused by its weather, such as fish boiling in the sea.

Kuwait City was once dubbed the “Marseilles of the Gulf” for its prosperous fishing industry and bustling beaches. But now, it experiences sweltering heat that makes even the hottest European heat waves seem cool.

In 2016, a weather station in north Kuwait recorded a temperature of 54C  – the third-highest reading in the world. The 2023 Cerberus Heatwave in Europe in comparison saw highs of 47C in Italy.

Projections show an increase of almost 6C by the century’s end. In 2021, there were more than 19 days of 50C-plus heat in Kuwait – a staggering statistic that this year threatens to surpass.

Kuwait City, mainly built of harsh concrete, is gradually becoming too hot for safe habitation. During the summer months, the outdoors becomes perilous for most of the day.

Scientific evidence also indicates that the already arid nation is receiving less rainfall annually, resulting in more frequent and severe dust storms.

There have been alarming accounts of birds dropping dead from the sky and seahorses being boiled alive in the bay. Even the toughest pigeons are seeking shelter from the sun’s intensity.

Temperatures over 50C are hazardous. At 13C above body temperature, it can lead to serious health complications such as heat exhaustion, heart problems, and even death.

A study in 2020 indicated that a striking two-thirds (67%) of home electricity consumption in the country derives from continuously running air conditioning units.

The studies predict that if climate change continues unchecked, the incidence of heat-related mortalities could escalate by 5.1% to 11.7% across Kuwait’s residents by the end of this century, even soaring up to 15% amongst the non-Kuwaiti population.

In Kuwait, the effects of global warming are glaringly evident – the state maintains an enormous carbon footprint, surpassed only by Bahrain and Qatar.

Kuwait lags behind its neighbours in climate commitments, having announced a modest target of 7.4% emission reduction by 2035 at COP26. 

Despite this, energy demand is expected to triple by 2030, as per Kuwaiti officials, largely driven by an increase in the use of air conditioning.

With the government subsidising much of the cost for electricity and water, there’s little incentive for consumers to conserve. This generous subsidy system extends to water sourced from energy-intensive desalination.

Salman Zafar, an environmental expert, has highlighted the stark reality: “Kuwait could be potentially facing serious impacts of global warming in the form of floods, droughts, depletion of aquifers, inundation of coastal areas, frequent sandstorms, loss of biodiversity, significant damage to ecosystem, threat to agricultural production and outbreak of diseases.”

A coastal town has outperformed it’s nearest city in a comprehensive list of the best places to live in the UK. Whitley Bay, just a 25-minute drive from the Newcastle, has been ranked higher than the bustling city in a list of the most desirable locations to move to in England and Wales.

Whitley Bay is known for its beautiful beaches, thriving food and drink scene, and the independent Jam Jar cinema. Its Playhouse theatre continues to attract big names, including Jason Manford last year. One of the town’s most notable landmarks is the extensively renovated Spanish City Dome, home to the highly-rated fish and chip restaurant Trenchers, which recently came third in a national awards competition. 

The average cost of a family home is £430,256, according to Garrington Property Finders’ data. 

The rankings were compiled by Garrington, with Whitley Bay securing the 78th spot out of 1,429, while Newcastle trailed slightly at 128.

The top three spots in the 2024 guide were claimed by Twyford in Berkshire, Epsom in Surrey, and St Albans respectively. 

Just a stone’s throw away from Tynemouth – dubbed the UK’s ‘coolest’ seaside town – Whitney Bay boasts an array of beaches and bars. Both towns are known for hosting the annual Mouth of the Tyne music festival, reports Chronicle Live.

Over recent years, the festival has seen performances from stars such as Rick Astley, Heather Small, Jack Savoretti and local lad Sam Fender, who headlined in 2019 before his debut album topped the charts.

Several groups are “deeply concerned” about over-tourism in Majorca and have come together to write an open letter begging tourists to stay away from the Spanish island. The plea comes as its residents brace themselves for the “worst summer in the history” of Majorca.

Shared by the Majorca Daily Bulletin, the groups shared concern over recent statements made by local politicians and hoteliers, which they described as having “great irresponsibility”, denying the “evident reality” and promoting the arrival of even more national and international tourists. The open letter aims to showcase the “true situation of our island” and to appeal for individual responsibility of visitors amid “non-existent” responsibility from Balearic local authorities and tourist lobbies, which they argue are “solely driven by economic interests”.

“Dear tourists,” the open letter begins, before stating that while tourism was once Majorca’s source of pride, it has become “our biggest problem”.

The groups argued that Majorca has been “exploited to unimaginable limits, leading to the collapse we are now suffering,” including issues with infrastructure, transportation, environmental and ecosystem deterioration, a loss of quality of life and increases in the cost of living.

The letter places the blame for this at the door of hoteliers, politicians and real estate investors, which they dub as “parasites”.

The letter argued that despite civil society mobilising in the streets to demand politicians regulate the situation and prevent a “major disaster,” the reality of the situation has been denied, and Majorcan tourism continues to be promoted in both new and established markets, including the Berlin Fair.

“Their only goal is to increase the number of visitors and generate more money for a minority on an island that is already completely oversaturated,” the letter continued.

The letter then cites published data to showcase the magnitude of the problem: “Every year, for every island resident,” it wrote, “we receive 15 tourists (meaning human pressure on our land is multiplied by 15).”

“If Mallorca were an independent state, it would be the second in absolute growth over the last 40 years, with an 84% population increase, only surpassed by India with 91%.”

The groups angrily describe the use of the concept of sustainable tourism in Majorca as “insulting”, “because nothing could be further from the truth”.

“Mallorca is not the paradise they are selling you,” the groups told tourists directly. “The local population is angry and no longer hospitable because the land we love [is] being destroyed and many of us have to leave the island because it is uninhabitable. Put yourselves in our place!

“It is time to take a stand. Our leaders do not listen to us, so we, the residents, ask you: DO NOT COME. We do not need more tourists; in fact, you are the source of our problem.

“Locals say: ENOUGH. STAY HOME!”