A scientific study reveals that the heatwaves that struck Europe and the US in July would have been "virtually impossible" without the influence of human-induced climate change. The research also indicates that climate change made the heatwave in southern Europe 2.5°C hotter and increased the likelihood of the heatwave affecting parts of China by 50 times.
The study underscores the urgent need for societies to adapt to higher temperatures, as extreme heat events are no longer rare occurrences. Experts emphasize that extreme heat can pose a serious threat to life, especially among vulnerable populations such as the elderly. For instance, last year's heatwaves in Europe were estimated to have caused over 61,000 deaths from heat-related causes. The study's authors stress the importance of implementing measures to combat extreme heat, including constructing heat-resistant homes, establishing "cool centers" for people to seek shelter, and implementing urban cooling strategies such as planting more trees.
The research conducted by scientists from the UK, US, and Netherlands analyzed recent heatwaves to identify the impact of climate change. They used computer models to simulate temperatures in a world without human-induced emissions and compared them to real-world temperatures during the heatwaves. The North American heatwave was found to be 2°C hotter due to climate change, and the heatwave in China was 1°C hotter. With the world already having warmed 1.1°C compared to pre-industrial levels, experts warn that if temperatures rise to 2°C, such extreme heat events could occur every two to five years.
While natural climate fluctuations like El Niño may play a small role in extreme heat events, the study concludes that the primary driver of the intensifying heatwaves is the increased temperatures caused by burning fossil fuels. The study's findings underscore the urgency of addressing climate change and taking concrete actions to mitigate its impacts, as more climate records are being broken, and extreme events are becoming more frequent and severe.
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