In recent years, a surge in extreme weather events worldwide has highlighted the worsening impact of climate change. In July 2022, the United Kingdom witnessed temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius for the first time. Similarly, a small town in northwest China recorded a historic high of 52 degrees Celsius last year. Sicily, Italy, also experienced a record-breaking temperature of 48.8 degrees Celsius in 2021, marking the highest ever recorded in Europe.
On May 29th, parts of Delhi reported temperatures reaching 52.9 degrees Celsius, marking India’s highest recorded temperature.
Another concerning incident occurred in Iran last year when the heat index caused temperatures to skyrocket to an unprecedented 66 degrees Celsius in July. Consequently, Iran declared public holidays and advised vulnerable populations to remain indoors.
What is the ‘feels-like’ temperature?
The ‘feels-like’ temperature, often referred to as the heat index, combines air temperature and relative humidity to estimate the perceived temperature by humans. High humidity levels impede the body’s cooling mechanism through sweating, making the heat feel more intense. A heat index of 66 degrees Celsius poses life-threatening conditions, surpassing the human body’s endurance thresholds for prolonged exposure.
What are the health risks associated with high temperatures?
Extreme heat can have severe health consequences, including dehydration. Insufficient water intake to replace fluids lost through sweating and urination can lead to thickened blood, increasing the risk of heart attacks and strokes. Moreover, high temperatures can exacerbate existing health conditions, posing particular risks to older individuals and those with chronic illnesses.
Are these occurrences a result of climate change?
The year 2024 was anticipated to be exceptionally warm, following a trend set by the previous year, which marked the warmest globally. Climate change has become a pressing global issue, with rising temperatures being a significant consequence. Human activities, notably the emission of greenhouse gases from burning fossil fuels, deforestation, industrial processes, and agricultural practices, have led to the accumulation of greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide and methane. This accumulation intensifies the greenhouse effect, trapping heat in the Earth’s atmosphere and resulting in a steady rise in the planet’s average temperature over the past century.
Climate change disrupts traditional weather patterns, leading to more frequent and severe heatwaves, prolonged droughts, and other extreme weather events. As temperatures rise, the melting of ice caps and increased evaporation further contribute to warming, creating a feedback loop that amplifies climate impacts. An analysis by Carbon Brief revealed that nearly 40 percent of the Earth experienced its highest-ever daily temperatures between 2013 and 2023, including regions in Antarctica.
According to the European Union’s Copernicus Climate Change Service, April 2024 marked the 11th consecutive month with a new record global average monthly temperature. The period from May 2023 to April 2024 was the warmest 12-month span on record, approximately 1.61 degrees Celsius higher than the pre-industrial (1850-1900) average.
