Heatwaves across Asia and other parts of the world are setting record temperatures this year, and the El Nino climate phenomenon will contribute to even more extreme heat. Climate change is the main factor behind these heatwaves, as greenhouse gases trap heat in the atmosphere, leading to global warming and other climate anomalies. The way cities are built, with little greenery and too much concrete, exacerbates the heat island effect and worsens the problem. Attribution science is used to determine the role of climate change in extreme heat events, with most heatwaves found to be made more severe or likely due to human-caused climate change. Exposure to extreme heat can have serious health consequences, especially for the elderly, those with pre-existing health conditions, and people without access to air conditioning. A study warns that a fifth of the world’s population will be exposed to life-threatening heat by the end of the century if current climate trends continue.
Meta Data: {“keywords”:”heatwaves, climate change, extreme heat”}
Source link