june 2024 Heat wave

Recently, the rising temperature has resulted in extreme heat, which has taken the lives of poll workers, pilgrims, and tourists globally. Currently, 100 million Americans are affected by heat waves, while in Mexico, over 100 deaths have occurred, and numerous cities have set heat records in May and June alone. India is also experiencing a heat wave that has claimed the lives of several election workers, with Delhi enduring nighttime temperatures in the mid-90s Fahrenheit. Greece is preparing for wildfires following heat waves that have caused tourist fatalities, and in Mali, more than 100 excess deaths were reported in early April due to the intense heat.

Global Heat Wave Impact

A Climate Central report found that between May 2023 and May 2024, approximately 4 out of 5 people globally experienced at least a month of unusually high temperatures. The World Meteorological Organization estimates that extreme heat caused around 489,000 deaths annually between 2000 and 2019, making it the most lethal form of extreme weather.

Heat Waves in Major Economies

The United States and China, the world's two largest economies and major contributors to global warming, are both dealing with significant heat waves. Currently, one-fifth of Americans are under an extreme-heat alert. In China, several northern regions have set temperature records, with Beijing reaching 99°F (37°C).

Scientific Consensus

Research consistently shows that emissions from burning fossil fuels are driving extreme temperatures. Global temperatures in the first five months of 2024 have been the highest on record, suggesting that this year could become the hottest ever recorded. Experts like Renee Salas, an emergency room doctor at Massachusetts General Hospital, emphasize that transitioning away from fossil fuels is crucial to prevent future heat-related deaths and illnesses. Without this transition, other measures are merely temporary solutions.

Other Extreme Weather Events

In addition to heat waves, other extreme weather events are impacting the world. Northern China is dealing with expanding droughts, while the south is experiencing severe floods. In the United States, New Mexico faced both wildfires and floods within a week, and Florida experienced significant disruptions from tropical rains. The first named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season, Alberto, caused fatalities in northeastern Mexico.

Hurricane Season Outlook

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration forecasts an unusually strong hurricane season due to extraordinarily high ocean temperatures, partly driven by fossil fuel emissions. This forecast underscores the urgent need for action to address climate change and its wide-ranging effects.

Works Cited

Sengupta, Somini. “Well beyond the U.S., Heat and Climate Extremes Are Hitting Billions.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 21 June 2024, www.nytimes.com/2024/06/21/climate/heat-deaths-floods-drought.html.

Borenstein, Seth. “Climate Change Made Killer Heat Wave in Mexico, Southwest US Even Warmer and 35 Times More Likely.” AP News, AP News, 20 June 2024, apnews.com/article/heat-wave-climate-change-causes-blame-4787a8bb1eb3aca0d398f46207f24247.

Rice, Doyle. “Can You Blame Heat Wave on Climate Change? Eye-Popping Numbers Suggest So.” USA Today, Gannett Satellite Information Network, 20 June 2024, www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2024/06/20/climate-change-heat-wave-impact/74155517007/.