A billboard in Phoenix, Arizona displayed a scorching temperature of 118 degrees Fahrenheit (48 degrees Celsius) during a historic heat wave on July 18, 2023. This extreme heat affected large areas of the United States, home to over 80 million people, with heat warnings and advisories in place. Phoenix, the state capital, experienced its 17th consecutive day with temperatures above 109 degrees Fahrenheit (43 degrees Celsius), reaching a high of 113 degrees Fahrenheit (45 degrees Celsius) on Sunday afternoon.
Last week, I attended my son’s AAU basketball tournament in Florida. I made a lighthearted post on my public Facebook page stating that it was hot in Florida. Unfortunately, many people didn’t quite grasp the underlying meaning of my post. Having attended college in Florida myself, I fully understand that July is a hot month. However, this recent heatwave felt different. It wasn’t the typical July heat I remembered from my younger years or the heat described by Stevie Wonder in his album “Hotter Than July.” In fact, we just experienced the hottest July on record. Let’s delve into the context of this statement from both a historical and future standpoint.
Believe it or not, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) predicted that July would be the hottest month ever recorded just four days before the month came to an end. The organization stated in a press release that the first three weeks of July were the warmest on record, setting the stage for the month to become the hottest July and the hottest month overall. This scorching heat is becoming increasingly associated with severe and persistent heatwaves in the Northern Hemisphere. United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres even remarked, “Barring a sudden, significant cooling, July 2023 will break records across the board.”
Naturally, you’ll come across the usual skeptical arguments on social media, claiming that the recorded period is too short or that it has been hotter in the past before human-induced climate change. These theories, however, are like zombies that climate scientists consistently have to debunk. While it’s true that climate naturally fluctuates, recent rates of warming over relatively short timeframes have exceeded the natural variability observed in the last 600,000 to 800,000 years. Some experts have even speculated about the possibility of approaching a “Hothouse Earth,” which would have catastrophic implications for life on our planet. Let’s explore these concepts in more depth.
Scientists have long understood that during the time of the dinosaurs, Earth was a hot planet with high levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and ice-free polar regions. However, around 35 million years ago, the planet transitioned to an “Icehouse” state as carbon dioxide levels dropped and ice sheets formed. The glacial and interglacial periods of the past 800,000 years were caused by natural variations in the Earth’s axis, wobbles, and orbit around the sun (known as Milankovitch Cycles). Climate scientists recognize that the carbon dioxide levels influence the system and its natural variability!
Since the industrial revolution, carbon dioxide levels have risen rapidly, delivering a significant shock to the climate system. As expected, this rapid change is having clear consequences. Some of the temperature records shattered in the U.S. Southwest are truly mind-boggling. For instance, Phoenix, Arizona experienced an uninterrupted streak of 31 days with temperatures exceeding 110 degrees Fahrenheit (43.3 degrees Celsius). Even more concerning, nighttime temperatures hovered around 90 degrees Fahrenheit (32.2 degrees Celsius). The lack of reprieve during the night poses significant health risks, especially for vulnerable communities.
In the World Meteorological Organization’s press release, one particular detail caught my attention: “Global mean temperature temporarily exceeded the 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 degrees Fahrenheit) threshold above preindustrial levels during the first and third week of the month (with observational error).” To put it simply, this threshold is one of the targets set in the Paris Agreement. We are already surpassing these targets, and it’s still early in the game. As an example, July 6th broke records as the hottest day ever recorded, and the days before and after were close contenders.
While the presence of El Niño has undoubtedly contributed to this year’s record-breaking temperatures, the influence of climate change is also evident. A rapid study conducted by the World Weather Attribution group found that some of the extreme heat observed this summer would have been nearly impossible without the impact of climate change. Although this study is still awaiting peer review, numerous other attribution studies tell a similar story. A study published in the journal Earth System Dynamics in 2021 revealed that the deadly heatwave in the U.S. Pacific Northwest and Canada was 150 times more likely due to human-induced climate change.
Extreme heat poses significant dangers on its own, as it can be more lethal than other highly publicized and dramatic weather events. However, it is merely a fraction of the overall picture. In the same way that a fever indicates underlying health issues in our bodies, Earth’s climate is signaling greater problems. Sea levels, hurricanes, rainfall intensity, droughts, wildfires, glaciers, and sea ice are all starting to respond to these changes. Moreover, these dramatic shifts have a direct impact on our daily lives, affecting agricultural productivity, transportation, social unrest, water supply, national security, public health, and much more.
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Jessica Irvine is a tech enthusiast specializing in gadgets. From smart home devices to cutting-edge electronics, Jessica explores the world of consumer tech, offering readers comprehensive reviews, hands-on experiences, and expert insights into the coolest and most innovative gadgets on the market.
