Why are heat waves getting worse? - Warming oceans are accelerating the climate crisis
Over the past year, heat waves have hit many parts of the world hard, breaking records and putting the lives of millions of people at risk. In the United States, temperatures in June exceeded 40°C, while in Europe, an “unusual” heat wave hit in early July, earlier than usual.
According to scientists, these extreme events are a direct consequence of climate change. The rise in temperatures is being strongly influenced by greenhouse gas emissions, caused mainly by the burning of coal, oil and natural gas.
A report from World Weather Attribution shows that the heat wave that hit Central Asia in March was about 4°C hotter due to climate change. Experts warn that unless emissions are reduced, global temperatures will continue to rise and we will enter “uncharted territory.”
The oceans, which have so far absorbed about 90% of the excess heat generated by global warming, are also in crisis. Their surface temperatures have reached record levels, raising concerns that they are reaching the limits of their capacity to absorb more heat. If that happens, more heat will remain in the atmosphere, worsening the situation.
Meanwhile, the consequences for humans are increasingly severe. While for some, summer is a time of vacation and relaxation on the beach, for many it represents a real threat to health. NASA says that heat stress has doubled in the last 40 years. In areas with high humidity, when the temperature exceeds 35°C, the human body is no longer able to dissipate enough heat. In these extreme conditions, people can even risk death.
During the recent waves in Europe, last summer alone, around 2,300 deaths were reported in 12 European cities. In 2022, the number of heat-related deaths on the old continent reached up to 61,000.
Heat waves cause water shortages, droughts, fires, and biodiversity loss. They also harm the economy by reducing the productivity of workers, especially those who work outdoors.
Experts are calling for immediate measures, including staying in cool environments, using low-carbon technologies for cooling (such as solar energy), and changing work and school schedules to avoid the hottest hours of the day.
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