heat dome
Newsletter
Credit: Mathis Lagadec/Pixabay
Heat dome intensifies Paris Olympics amid global warming
A heat dome caused by climate change has raised temperatures to dangerous levels at the Paris Olympics, affecting athletes and spectators alike.
In short:
- A rapid analysis shows the heat dome over Europe and North Africa, which is affecting the Paris Olympics, would not have been possible without human-caused global warming.
- Scientists report that carbon emissions have raised temperatures by 2.5C to 3.3C, making extreme heat events more frequent and expected every decade.
- Olympic athletes struggle with the heat, while Mediterranean residents without cooling options face health risks, with extreme temperatures causing increased premature deaths.
Key quote:
“Climate change crashed the Olympics on Tuesday. The world watched athletes swelter in 35C heat.”
— Dr. Friederike Otto, climatologist, Imperial College London
Why this matters:
The intensifying heatwave illustrates how global warming is not a distant threat but an immediate danger impacting lives worldwide. As fossil fuel emissions persist, extreme weather events will worsen, threatening human health and safety globally.
Keep reading...Show less
Newsletter
Credit: Gerd Altmann/Pixabay
Climate change increases health risks with extreme summer heat and wildfires
Rising temperatures and wildfires fueled by climate change are posing significant health risks across Canada, with humid conditions exacerbating the effects.
In short:
- Eastern Canada experienced a heat dome in June 2024, with temperatures feeling as high as 40°C due to humidity.
- High humidity complicates the body's ability to cool down, increasing the risk of heat-related illnesses.
- Prolonged exposure to extreme heat and wildfire smoke can worsen respiratory and cardiovascular conditions.
Key quote:
"Some people may not be in the habit of protecting themselves from heat, given that this is early in the season. It’s still really important to prepare, particularly for people that may require assistance."
— Peter Berry, Health Canada spokesperson
Why this matters:
Rising temperatures and increased frequency of heat domes, driven by climate change, heighten the health risks of extreme heat and poor air quality.
Keep reading...Show less
Top Story
2023 is on track to be the hottest year on record
This year is increasingly likely to become the hottest year on record, due to a rapidly strengthening El Niño weather pattern and unprecedentedly hot summer.
Photo by Derek Thomson on Unsplash
Florida in hot water as ocean temperatures rise along with the humidity
Record ocean heat has invaded Florida with a vengeance. Water temperatures in the mid-90s (mid-30s Celsius) are threatening delicate coral reefs, depriving swimmers of cooling dips and adding a bit more ick to the state's already oppressive summer weather.
The Southwest bakes with more heat on the way
Phoenix could be on track to break its record of 18 consecutive days with temperatures above 110 as a heat dome has settled over the desert Southwest.
Newsletter
Image by Lukas_Rychvalsky from Pixabay
Here are the places most at risk from record-shattering heat
It’s the regions of the world that haven’t yet experienced an off-the-charts heat wave that we should worry about, a new scientific study argues.
The Pacific Northwest heat wave was a harbinger of what's to come: Study
The 2021 heat wave in the Pacific Northwest, which killed hundreds of people in the U.S. and Canada, was a harbinger of a new generation of climate disasters to come, a new study finds.
ORIGINAL REPORTING
MOST POPULAR
CLIMATE
