In July 2020, global temperatures over land and ocean reached a record high for the month. This was made even more alarming considering the heat waves that swept through Europe during the month. The “exceptional” weather, as defined by the United Nations World Meteorological Organization (WMO), was made even more noticeable due to the relative accuracy of climate models. In other words, climate change made this heatwave possible.
Studies have shown that the extreme temperatures seen in July 2020 would have been virtually impossible without the effects of global warming on our planet over the past few decades. As temperatures rise due to the increased concentrations of greenhouse gases trapped in our atmosphere, the ability for heatwaves to occur also increases. The higher temperatures mean that, over time, more of the solar radiation that is provided to Earth is converted into heat. This leads to temperatures that become much hotter than what was seen in past decades.
It’s not only Europe that is at risk of experiencing heatwaves due to climate change. The southern United States has already seen hot extremes that are also “virtually impossible” to happen without climate change. Scientists are concerned about the effects of future events when temperatures are expected to be even higher.
Heatwaves can have dire consequences on our environment and human health. Not only do they cause a rise in sea level, but they can also lead to droughts, crop failure, and wildfires. This all leads to an increase in the mortality rates due to these extreme weather events.
In order to combat the effects of these heatwaves, nations must come together to implement a plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. We must find ways to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels and explore the possibilities of renewable energy. Although this will not reduce the effects of climate change overnight, it will be the first step in making sure that future heatwaves can be avoided.
Ultimately, if we are to reduce the effects of climate change on our planet, we must take action now. There is no denying that July 2020’s heatwave is a direct result of global warming, and that it would have been virtually impossible without the warming of our planet over the past few decades.