Scorching heat wave in Mexico and Southwest US intensified due to climate change

Climate change has significantly worsened the recent deadly heat wave in Mexico and the Southwestern United States, making it 35 times more likely and 2.5 degrees hotter.

Seth Borenstein reports for the Associated Press.

In short:

• Human-caused climate change increased the likelihood and severity of the heat wave, with daytime temperatures soaring 2.5 degrees hotter.
• Nighttime temperatures were even more devastating, becoming 2.9 degrees warmer and 200 times more likely, contributing to at least 125 deaths.
• The prolonged heat wave highlighted existing inequalities, as those without air conditioning faced greater risks.

Key quote:

"It’s an oven here; you can’t stay here."

— Margarita Salazar Pérez, Veracruz resident

Why this matters:

This heat wave underscores the immediate and lethal impact of climate change, exacerbating health risks and highlighting social inequalities. As extreme weather events become more common, the need for effective climate action grows ever more urgent. Read more: Worsening heat waves are hammering the disabled community.