The world is experiencing one of the hottest Julys ever recorded, according to the European Union’s climate observatory.
The first 15 days of this month have been the warmest on record, and it looks like the entire July will be the hottest too.
This extreme heat is caused by climate change, which is making our planet warmer overall.
There are also two specific factors contributing to the heat: El Nino and unusually high ocean temperatures. These natural phenomena can make things even hotter.
This heatwave is affecting three continents: Asia, Europe, and North America.
Some places are facing long periods of sweltering heat, and there have been serious wildfires in Canada and Greece.
Apart from making us feel uncomfortable, these high temperatures have serious consequences.
They can harm crops, cause glaciers to melt, and increase the risk of wildfires.
Most importantly, they can negatively impact our health. Heatstroke, dehydration, and stress on our hearts can result from extreme heat.
Climate change has been happening for a long time, and the world has warmed by about 1.2 degrees Celsius since the 1800s.
This warming leads to more severe weather events, like intense heat waves, harsh droughts, and stronger storms.
El Nino is a natural pattern that contributes to increased heat worldwide, as well as droughts in some areas and heavy rains in others.
All these factors combined are making this July a record-breaking month in terms of heat.
Source: PhilNews24 | July 20, 2023
