Europe and US heatwaves near ‘impossible’ without climate change
A newly published scientific study says the recent heatwaves that swept the US and Europe in July would have been “virtually impossible” without human-induced climate change.
Global warming from burning fossil fuels also made the heatwave affecting parts of China 50 times more likely.
The study finds that climate change means the heatwave in southern Europe was 2.5C hotter.
The study’s authors say its findings highlight the importance of the world adapting to higher temperatures because they are no longer “rare.”
Experts say that almost all societies remain unprepared for extreme heat, and countries must start building heat-resistant homes.
Julie Arrighi from the Red Cross Red Crescent Climate Centre, and one of the study’s authors, says countries must create “cool centres” for people to find shelter, and find ways to cool cities including planting more trees.
