Climate change made July heatwaves ‘almost impossible’ to occur

July has been an oppressively hot month for many parts of the world due to heatwaves exacerbated by climate change. A recent study sheds light on the extent to which the climate crisis has contributed to the unprecedented temperatures experienced this month.

Vast regions of the Northern Hemisphere have been experiencing sweltering conditions for weeks, with heat domes forming over North America, North Africa, the Mediterranean, and Asia during the summer. The first week of July, according to preliminary data from the World Meteorological Organization, likely witnessed the highest temperatures ever recorded on the planet. In Death Valley, North America, and parts of northwest China, temperatures soared to above 50 degrees Celsius (122 degrees Fahrenheit). Additionally, all-time heat records were broken in various parts of Spain, France, Algeria, and Tunisia.

The study focuses on extreme heat events in the southwest United States, northern Mexico, southern Europe, and the lowlands of China during July. According to the research conducted by the World Weather Attribution (WWA), a global collaboration of scientists, heatwaves in North America and Europe would have been nearly impossible without climate change. The severe heatwave in China this month was also 50 times more likely attributable to global warming. Europe experienced the greatest impact from climate change, with temperatures reaching 2.5 degrees Celsius higher than they would have been without it.

The study utilized peer-reviewed methods to compare real-world temperatures with projections of what they would have been in the absence of the approximately 1.2 degrees of global warming caused by human activity since the Industrial Revolution. Unless the world transitions to clean energy, heatwaves are expected to become more frequent and intense with climate change. If global warming exceeds 2 degrees above preindustrial levels, heatwaves similar to those witnessed in July could occur as frequently as every couple of years.

While it is evident that temperatures have reached unprecedented levels this summer, the researchers caution that this may soon become the new normal. Friederike Otto, one of the study’s authors and a senior lecturer in climate science at Imperial College London, emphasized the need to cease burning fossil fuels to prevent a future where the current extreme heat becomes the norm.

Consequently, it is crucial to adapt to a warmer world, and the regions examined in the study are already taking steps in this direction. These efforts include devising strategies to combat heat-related emergencies, implementing urban designs that promote cooling, and fortifying power grids to avoid blackouts that deprive people of much-needed air conditioning. The report emphasizes that simple actions such as checking on neighbors, staying hydrated, and seeking cool shelter during the hottest part of the day can save lives.

 

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Alex Smith

Alex Smith is a writer and editor with over 10 years of experience. He has written extensively on a variety of topics, including technology, business, and personal finance. His work has been published in a number of magazines and newspapers, and he is also the author of two books. Alex is passionate about helping people learn and grow, and he believes that writing is a powerful tool for communication and understanding.