Unprecedented Heatwave Scorching US, Europe, China

Summer has just begun in the Northern Hemisphere, yet various parts of the world are already experiencing a brutal heat wave. This scorching weather is a stark reminder of the dangers posed by a warming climate. Extreme heat advisories have been issued for over 100 million Americans, with forecasts predicting particularly dangerous conditions in Arizona, California, Nevada, and Texas.

Similarly, several European nations, including France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and Poland, are also enduring searing temperatures. In fact, the European Space Agency predicts that temperatures on the islands of Sicily and Sardinia could soar as high as 48 degrees Celsius (118.4 degrees Fahrenheit), potentially setting a new record for the hottest temperatures ever recorded in Europe. North Africa, China, and Morocco are also facing sweltering conditions.

Last month was already the hottest June on record, according to NASA and the European Union’s Copernicus Climate Change Service. Secretary-General Petteri Taalas of the World Meteorological Organization warns that extreme weather resulting from a warming climate is unfortunately becoming the new normal. Excessive heat is one of the deadliest meteorological events, with a recent study estimating that over 61,000 people died from heat during Europe’s record-breaking summer last year.

Death Valley

The climate pattern known as El Nino may be contributing to the higher temperatures this year. El Nino events, occurring every two to seven years, are characterized by warmer-than-average sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern Pacific near the Equator and typically last for nine to twelve months. North America has already experienced a series of extreme meteorological events this summer, including widespread wildfires causing air pollution and devastating floods in Vermont.

Climate scientists suggest that global warming can lead to heavier and more frequent rainfall. Meanwhile, residents in the southern United States have been enduring unrelenting high temperatures for weeks. Climate scientist Daniel Swain predicts that the temperature in Death Valley could surpass the official record of 56.7 degrees Celsius (134 degrees Fahrenheit) measured in 1913, standing by the figure of 54.4 degrees Celsius (130 degrees Fahrenheit) recorded in 2020 and 2021.

‘Exceptionally High’

The warm early summer has also affected ocean temperatures. Water temperatures off the southern coast of Florida have exceeded 32 degrees Celsius (90 degrees Fahrenheit). In the Mediterranean, surface temperatures are expected to be exceptionally high in the coming days and weeks, surpassing 30 degrees Celsius (86 degrees Fahrenheit) in some areas. These warming ocean temperatures can have devastating consequences for aquatic life and the fishing industry.

In contrast, Antarctic sea ice reached its lowest recorded level for a month of June. The global average temperature has risen by nearly 1.2 degrees Celsius (1.9 degrees Fahrenheit) since the mid-1800s, resulting in more intense heatwaves, severe droughts, and fiercer storms. The World Meteorological Organization’s Secretary-General, Petteri Taalas, emphasizes the urgency of cutting greenhouse gas emissions to combat the increasing threat of extreme heat waves.

© 2023 AFP