Dangerous heat waves are engulfing cities across continents around the world, raising concerns that this summer could set new temperature records. This is a consequence of climate change. Scientists warn that this is not just climate change, but also global warming, which is increasing extreme weather events, with heat waves occurring more frequently and more severely, with temperatures rising at an unprecedented rate.
2024 is predicted to be the next hottest year on record, beating the record set in 2023. Large swaths of the world have already been hit by high temperatures before summer begins in the northern hemisphere. Mediterranean countries have been hit by more extreme heat, sparking wildfires from Portugal to Greece and along the Algerian coast in northern Africa, according to the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Severe heat in many countries, climate change is becoming more and more evident
Parts of the Midwest and Northeast are also experiencing severe heat, prompting authorities to issue heat warnings that could pose a health risk. A relentless heat wave has scorched much of the United States, with many areas recording record-breaking temperatures. In Asia, intense heat has also prompted several countries to raise heat warnings.
In Serbia, experts predict temperatures will rise to around 40 degrees Celsius this week. The unusual heat wave that has lasted for about a week has also killed three foreign tourists in Greece.
New York City in the US opened places to rest from the heat with cooling equipment to serve people. The White House announced on June 20 that US President Joe Biden had declared a state of disaster due to wildfires in southern New Mexico when the "fire" killed at least 2 people and burned down about 500 houses.
Nearly 2 million Muslims from around the world are taking part in this year's Hajj pilgrimage in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, amid scorching heat. The Hajj lasts for several days. Figures from countries where pilgrims are taking part show that more than a thousand people have died in the heat.
Europe this year has faced a series of tourist deaths and disappearances amid severe heatwave conditions.
Europe has been hit by a series of tourist deaths and disappearances this year amid the extreme heat. A 55-year-old American tourist was found dead on the Greek island of Mathraki earlier this week, the third tourist death in a week.
A large swath of the eastern United States is also experiencing extreme heat. New York City has opened emergency cooling centers at libraries, senior centers and other facilities. Some suburban districts have dismissed school early to avoid the heat. The National Weather Service has also issued a dangerous heat warning for parts of Arizona, with temperatures forecast to reach approximately 110 degrees Fahrenheit (46 degrees Celsius).
Heat is the leading cause of climate-related deaths. Extreme heat has killed tens of thousands of people in the past 12 months, but the true toll could be in the hundreds of thousands or even millions. Heat is the deadliest weather extreme, but it is often underestimated, especially for children, the elderly, and people working outdoors.
The main cause of global warming is greenhouse gas emissions, which are at an all-time high. Specifically, the average annual emissions in the period 2013-2022 were 53 billion tons of CO2 and other equivalent gases, mainly from the use of fossil fuels such as oil and gas. In 2022 alone, emissions reached 55 billion tons. By early 2024, this number had dropped to about 200 billion tons.
According to experts, if emissions remain at current levels, global warming will remain at the same level. Without significant changes in emissions cuts, the 1.5°C threshold will be crossed and become the “long-term average” in the next decade.
The main cause of global warming is greenhouse gas emissions which are at an all-time high.
