Killer Heat
The United States is facing a potentially staggering expansion of dangerous heat over the coming decades.
There is growing concern that the world is experiencing more intense and extreme heat, and there is evidence to suggest that these trends will continue in the future. The increase in global average temperatures is primarily attributed to human activities, particularly the emission of greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.
?Extreme heat events have the potential to cause significant harm and even death. As global temperatures rise due to climate change, heatwaves become more intense, last longer, and occur more frequently. These heatwaves can have severe consequences for human health and well-being.
Current situation
There is currently a simultaneous heatwave phenomenon occurring, with temperatures in North America, parts of Asia, and across North Africa and the Mediterranean above 40°C for a prolonged number of days this week. These types of events are very concerning and have increased sixfold since the 1980s.
June saw the warmest global average temperature on record, which continued into July, according to preliminary figures.
Large parts of North Africa, the Mediterranean, Asia, and the southern United States of America have been hit by parallel and stationary heat domes.
A global heat wave spanning much of the Northern Hemisphere continued yesterday, breaking, or nearing heat records and setting off health alerts in regions across Asia, Europe, North Africa, and the United States. The latest stretch of extreme heat comes after global average temperatures reached their highest level on record last month.
Additionally, California's Death Valley came within 2 degrees of the hottest air temperature record on Earth. The hottest temperature ever recorded was 134 degrees
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The World Meteorological Organization warned of an increased risk of heat-related deaths in light of the hemisphere-wide trend.
The World Meteorological Organization is stepping up efforts to strengthen heat-health early warnings and integrated action plans for heatwaves, which are amongst the deadliest natural hazards. Heat is a rapidly growing health risk, due to burgeoning urbanization, an increase in high temperature extremes, and demographic changes in countries with ageing populations. Hundreds of thousands of people die from preventable heat-related causes each year.
Worldwide, more intense, and extreme heat appears to be unavoidable
It is imperative to prepare and adapt as cities, homes, workplaces are not built to withstand prolonged high temperatures, and vulnerable people are not sufficiently aware of the seriousness of the risk heat poses to their health and wellbeing.
Heatwaves kill more people annually in the U.S. than hurricanes, lightning, tornadoes, floods, and earthquakes combined. A 2003 heat wave in Europe is estimated to have caused up to 70,000 deaths. Yet few people really understand how heat impacts the human body. Probably because it’s too gruesome to think about.
Heat-related deaths in the United States outnumber those caused by any other type of weather event. Heatwaves can have severe impacts on human health, particularly among vulnerable populations such as the elderly, young children, individuals with chronic illnesses, and those who lack access to air conditioning or other cooling measures.
Extreme heat can lead to heat exhaustion, heatstroke, and other heat-related illnesses. It can also exacerbate existing health conditions, such as respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, heatwaves can contribute to poor air quality, as higher temperatures can enhance the formation of ground-level ozone and other pollutants.
To mitigate the risks associated with extreme heat, it is crucial to take appropriate precautions. This includes staying hydrated, seeking cool shelter or air-conditioned spaces, wearing lightweight and light-colored clothing, avoiding strenuous outdoor activities during peak heat hours, and checking on vulnerable individuals, such as the elderly or those with limited mobility.
Furthermore, it is important for communities and local authorities to implement heat emergency response plans, establish cooling centers during heatwaves, and provide information and resources to help people cope with extreme heat.
Addressing climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions remains a key long-term strategy to mitigate the increasing frequency and intensity of heatwaves. Additionally, enhancing urban planning, improving building design, and implementing heat-resilient infrastructure can help create more heat-resilient communities and reduce the impacts of extreme heat events on human health.
Governments, communities, and individuals must work together to develop strategies and policies that reduce the risks associated with extreme heat, protect vulnerable populations, and build resilience to climate change. It is crucial to prioritize both mitigation and adaptation measures to mitigate the worst impacts of rising temperatures and ensure a sustainable and resilient future.
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