Peak global heat: Record-breaking temperatures claim lives worldwide
6:57 AM EDT, June 21, 2024
Heatwaves are becoming a growing threat to us. Record high temperatures are wreaking havoc on four continents. Deaths in Europe and Asia are now counted in the hundreds, and it's only the beginning of a summer that could break last year's record.
Heatwaves are claiming lives. So far, 577 people have already died during the pilgrimage to Mecca. Reports from AFP indicate that most deaths were caused by temperatures exceeding 124°F.
Serbians are dealing with intense heat. Meteorologists predict that the temperature there will reach 104°F this week. Authorities have issued a red alert and advised residents to stay indoors.
According to Reuters, emergency services in Belgrade alone intervened 109 times overnight, with most cases involving people suffering from heart diseases and other chronic conditions. In neighboring Montenegro, health authorities also urged people to avoid the sun, and tens of thousands of tourists sought respite on the beaches along the Adriatic coast.
On Monday, police reported that the body of a 55-year-old American was found on the Greek island of Mathraki – the third tourist to die within a week. The problematic situation is not limited to Europe.
According to the National Weather Service, over 86 million people in the northeastern and midwestern United States were under a heat dome on Thursday. In parts of Arizona, including Phoenix, the temperature could reach 114°F.
High temperatures are causing uncontrollable fires. In New Mexico, two rapidly spreading fires fueled by extreme heat have killed two people. The fires have scorched over 23,000 acres and destroyed 500 homes.
Temperatures are breaking records on every continent
It's also hot in Asia. On Wednesday, New Delhi recorded its warmest night in at least 55 years. The Indian Safdarjung Observatory recorded a temperature of 95°F at 1:00 AM. The local health department reported that from March 1 to June 18, there were over 40,000 cases of heatstroke and at least 110 confirmed deaths.
Accurately determining the death toll from heatwaves is challenging. Most health authorities do not directly attribute deaths to the heat but to illnesses exacerbated by high temperatures, such as cardiovascular issues. Therefore, authorities significantly underestimate the number of heat-related deaths. According to Reuters, this means missing thousands, if not tens of thousands of deaths.
Are we facing a record hot summer?
The World Meteorological Organization claims there is an 86% chance that the record set by 2023 will be broken within the next five years, making it the hottest in history. Observed heat waves are becoming more frequent, intense, and longer.
According to an international team of scientists from World Weather Attribution (WWA), on average, a pre-industrial heatwave that would occur once in 10 years now occurs 2.8 times in 10 years and is 2.2°F warmer.
Scientists don't have good news for us. They emphasize that heat waves will continue to intensify if the world continues to burn fossil fuels. According to the WWA, if global warming of 3.6°F occurs, heat waves will occur on average 5.6 times in 10 years and will be 4.7°F hotter.
