Wet bulb globe temperature across Western Turkey according to the ENSEMBLES project

Abstract

The direct effects of climate change on workers' thermal comfort as well as its indirect effects on occupational health and safety are analysed. The region of interest is Western Turkey. The regional climate model (RCM) results of daily maximum air temperature and relative humidity from the ENSEMBLES project are used to form past and future projections. There are various indices used to observe the thermal comfort conditions for workers. In this research, wet bulb globe temperature (WBGT) is used for outdoor environments as outdoor workers make the prime target group. The seasonal spatial distribution of WBGT across the selected region during the reference period (1970-1999) in addition to alterations thereof for the three future periods (namely, 2010-2039, 2040-2069 and 2070-2099) is calculated. The emerging monthly time series for the annual WBGT is analysed for the time period from 1970 to 2100. By the end of the 21st century, this reaches 24 degrees C in June and August, particularly across Southern Turkey.