Heat waves that affect a wide area at once are becoming more prevalent. Recent outbreaks have affected China, the United States, Europe, and India, and researchers are beginning to piece together why such diverse regions are being struck at once.
In a concerning turn of events, millions of Americans struggle again with the relentless and dangerous grip of scorching heat. Europeans experienced an intense heatwave over the weekend, as hot air engulfed the region, resulting in unusually high temperatures that are higher than even typical summer peaks. France and Spain were particularly affected by this scorching weather phenomenon. Record-breaking heatwaves also ravaged northern and central China.
Northern America
Blazing Heat waves swept across California, Southern Nevada, and Arizona. A recent report by the World Meteorological Organization highlighted that totaling over 100 million people were affected by extreme heat conditions during the weekend of July 15-16. The report emphasized the presence of dangerous and sweltering heat, particularly across vast regions of the Western United States.
Europe
Europe is experiencing a series of scorching heat waves, with Spain particularly affected. In recent days, several eastern European countries, including Romania, Macedonia, Bulgaria, Slovakia, Hungary, and Croatia, have experienced intense heat.
Heatwaves have swept across 19 European countries over the past two weeks, shattering monthly and all-time temperature records in most of these nations.
In recent news, the United Kingdom (UK), France, and Spain have experienced some of the most severe heat waves that they have ever seen.
Asia
According to the China Meteorological Administration, the second heatwave of July has emerged as a more extensive phenomenon than its predecessor.
A staggering number of weather stations in China have experienced record-breaking temperatures. Between July 15 and July 26, 51 weather stations shattered their all-time temperature records. This alarming development highlights the intensifying impact of climate change on China’s weather patterns.
In a recent report by Xinhua News Agency, it has been revealed that an astounding 71 weather stations across China have shattered temperature records. This unprecedented occurrence has sent shockwaves through the nation, leaving experts and citizens alike in awe of the extreme weather conditions experienced in various regions. Heatwaves across southeasten China have persisted for a staggering seven weeks.
Heatwaves ravaged Russia, Iran, and Turkmenistan in an ongoing scorching spell. Asia is grappling with relentless heat waves that have engulfed several countries, including Russia, Iran, and Turkmenistan.
The heatwave has taken a firm hold in Russia, subjecting its vast territory to soaring temperatures. The country is experiencing an unrelenting wave of heat from the western borders to the eastern reaches.
In a concerning turn of events, several countries across different regions have experienced scorching temperatures over the past two weeks. Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, Turkey, and Taiwan have all fallen victim to the relentless heatwave, leaving residents and authorities grappling with its severe consequences. The extreme weather conditions have taken a toll on Uzbekistan, where soaring temperatures have become a daily struggle for its inhabitants. The country’s population has been forced to endure the blistering heat, which has posed significant challenges to their daily routines and overall well-being. Similarly, Tajikistan has been grappling with the unforgiving heatwave as temperatures soar.
Reason for change in climate
In a recent report, experts have highlighted a direct correlation between extreme weather events and global warming. The Earth’s atmosphere has experienced a significant increase in carbon emissions due to humans’ relentless burning of fossil fuels. This alarming trend has persisted for several decades, resulting in a staggering rise in global temperatures. Since the pre-industrial era, our planet has witnessed substantial warming of approximately 1.16 degrees Celsius. This data underscores the urgent need for immediate action to address the escalating climate crisis. The catastrophic impact on Earth’s ecosystem and geography has been widely observed.
Renowned environmentalist Anjal Prakash, formerly associated with the prestigious United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), has shed light on the detrimental impact of carbon dioxide accumulation in the atmosphere. In an interview with Al Jazeera, Prakash explained that this phenomenon, commonly called the greenhouse gas effect, occurs when carbon dioxide traps heat within the Earth’s atmosphere, akin to how a greenhouse retains warmth.
The frequency of mass-scale floods, droughts, deadly heat waves, and extremely heavy rainfalls has reached unprecedented levels. These events, which potentially cause significant damage and loss of life, are occurring with alarming regularity. In a dire warning, experts have cautioned that unless global greenhouse gas emissions are reduced, the frequency of these events will continue to escalate. Recently, scientists have raised concerns regarding the potential consequences of the Earth surpassing the critical 1.5 degree Celsius global warming threshold by the 2030s. According to their findings, this breach could result in irreversible harm to the planet’s delicate ecosystem, with far-reaching implications for humans and other forms of life.