In recent weeks, the world has all witnessed a dramatic rise in temperatures, with heatwaves affecting several regions around the globe, including Europe and North America.
Now, UN experts are warning that this worrying trend of heat extremes is just beginning and is likely to worsen due to climate changes ongoing. Find out more below.
The tendency is to get worse
Recent UN reports reveal that July was officially the hottest month ever recorded in history. Surprisingly, high temperatures were observed even in regions that should be in winter, such as South America.
A phenomenon called “heat summit” has contributed to devastating fires in places like Greece, Spain, Portugal, Canada and Hawaii.
Image: INMET/Reproduction
John Nairn, an expert at the Geneva-based World Meteorological Organization (WMO), emphasizes that heat waves are a direct result of human activities that alter the climate. He predicts that these episodes will become more frequent and longer-lasting in the future. Nairn emphasizes that scientific warnings about the harmful effects of excessive emissions of polluting gases can no longer be ignored.
“People are too relaxed when faced with signs. Science warned that we would reach this point. And this is far from over. The situation will intensify and heat waves will be more frequent”, says Nairn.
A particularly alarming aspect highlighted by the meteorologist is the increase in temperatures at night. This phenomenon not only harms human health, but also impacts subsequent daytime temperatures.
Hot nights prevent the body from recovering from the heat of the day, accumulating thermal heat that cannot be dissipated. This results in subsequent days being even hotter, creating a worrying cycle.
As the planet continues to warm due to human activities, the forecast is grim. Heat waves, along with their implications for health and environmentrepresent a crucial challenge that requires immediate and coordinated action to mitigate the effects of climate change.
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