heat wave
Newsletter
Southern Europe faces deadly heat wave
A heat wave across southern Europe forced the closure of Greece’s Acropolis and resulted in two firefighter deaths in Italy.
Elena Becatoros and Colleen Barry report for The Associated Press.
In short:
- Greece closed the Acropolis for five hours due to extreme heat, distributing water and information to tourists.
- In Italy, two firefighters died fighting a blaze in Basilicata, and 13 cities, including Palermo, are under severe heat warnings.
- Other countries, including Albania, North Macedonia, and Turkey, are battling wildfires and heat-related disruptions.
Key quote:
Of touring the Acropolis, tourist Tony Dunlap said “we got it done and got out quick, and now we’re going to some air conditions and some more libation and enjoy the day.”
— Toby Dunlap, tourist from Pennsylvania
Why this matters:
Extreme heat waves and wildfires highlight the urgent need for climate resilience and preparedness measures in southern Europe. The impact on daily life and safety in these regions underscores the broader implications of climate change.
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Credit: curaphotography/Big Stock Photo
West Africa's early heat wave signals climate change's impact
West Africa experienced an unprecedented early heat wave, intensified by global warming.
In short:
- Climate change has made extreme heat events in West Africa, like the recent heat wave, ten times more likely, exacerbating the heat index significantly.
- The heat wave prompted additional hydration breaks during the Africa Cup of Nations soccer tournament, highlighting the immediate impacts on daily activities.
- Vulnerable populations, including the elderly and outdoor workers, face heightened risks due to inadequate access to cooling resources.
Key quote:
"Many, many people wouldn’t have been acclimatized to the heat."
— Wasiu Adeniyi Ibrahim, head of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency’s central forecast office
Why this matters:
This early heat wave is a clear signal of how climate change is not just a distant threat but a current reality affecting millions. The health implications are immediate and severe, with the most vulnerable in society bearing the brunt of these climate-induced extremes. Intense heat waves induced by climate change create favorable conditions for air pollution to worsen. Scientists say this isn’t likely to change unless action is taken.
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Hundreds of fires are burning in the Appalachians amid growing drought
Fires have erupted from Virginia to Georgia, including 80 in West Virginia. Any beneficial rains to slow the fire season are at least a week away.
Image by Angie Agostino from Pixabay
Scientists found the most intense heat wave ever recorded — in Antarctica
In March 2022, temperatures near the eastern coast of Antarctica spiked 70 degrees Fahrenheit (39 degrees Celsius) above normal — making it the most intense recorded heat wave to occur anywhere on Earth, according to a recent study.
Photo by Naja Bertolt Jensen on Unsplash
I visited a beautiful coral reef in 2022. What I saw there this summer shocked me
Devastating photos reveal how an extreme heat wave is wrecking Florida’s coral reef.
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At the U.S. Open, stifling heat causes some players to lose their cool
An unseasonal stretch of extreme heat and humidity has left the stadiums at the Open sweltering. But a few players, Coco Gauff among them, say the hotter, the better.
Photo by Piotr Chrobot on Unsplash
What a heat wave does to your body
We’re all becoming guinea pigs in a vast experiment: How will people of different ages and levels of fitness respond to unprecedented, ongoing heat? What will happen to our bodies when we have no choice but to stay outside, or when the air-conditioning goes out?
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