According to a new study, the average person could lose over 30 hours of sleep each year, due to rising temperatures.
As global temperatures climb, a surprising consequence is starting to emerge, which is that our sleep is suffering. A large-scale study of over 200,000 adults in China revealed that hotter nights are chipping away at the quantity and quality of our rest.
In other words, we are literally losing sleep over climate change.
The research found that as average daily temperatures increased, people experienced more disrupted sleep, with deep sleep – the most restorative phase – taking the biggest hit.
The implications go beyond feeling groggy the next day. Deep sleep is essential for physical recovery, mental clarity, and emotional well-being. With climate change expected to drive temperatures even higher by the end of the century, the average person could lose over 30 hours of sleep each year.
Certain groups are especially vulnerable to this hidden toll. Older adults, women, and those living in humid climates are more likely to experience heat-related sleep disruptions. And while air conditioning may provide some relief, it’s not a universal solution – nor is it sustainable for everyone.
This study adds to a growing body of evidence that climate change is infiltrating even the most personal parts of our lives. It’s not just about wildfires and rising seas anymore. It’s also about the sleep we count on to function, stay healthy, and feel human.
Within our .earth tribe, there are several .earth organizations addressing solutions on how have a more restful night’s sleep:
- Amala.Earth: This .earth member wrote a comprehensive blog post on the essentials for a good night’s sleep. Learn more here.
- AncientandBrave.Earth: This organization wrote a post on the eight hero ingredients for a better night’s sleep. Learn more here.
- Oils.Earth: This organization created an oil to help you center, relax, and calm the hyperactive mind so you can get the sleep you need. Learn more here.
- Lovewell.Earth: This organization made a video on how to deal with insomnia. Learn more here.
Is your organization working to find solutions for a better sleep’s night? The .earth web domain is ideal for enhancing your brands and communicating your mission of creating a safer planet through platforms for social and environmental activism.
To learn more about the .earth domain, visit Voices.Earth. In addition, many organizations and individuals are sharing their voices about the benefits of a .earth domain in our Voices.Earth podcast series.
