Are Europe’s extreme summers the new normal? What the science says
Summary
Europe experienced record-breaking heatwaves this summer, with temperatures reaching as high as 44°C (111.2°F) in some areas. Scientists say this extreme heat is becoming normal due to global warming, as Europe is warming about twice as fast as the global average. These hot summers are expected to happen more often in the future and may lead to more health problems and environmental damage.Key Facts
- Temperatures reached 40°C (104°F) in Germany, the Czech Republic, and Poland, and 44°C (111.2°F) in a town in France.
- Last summer’s heatwave caused around 2,300 climate-related deaths across 12 European countries.
- Heatwaves in Europe are now tens to hundreds of times more likely than 50 years ago.
- Europe has warmed roughly twice as fast as the rest of the world since the 1980s.
- A "heat dome," or a high-pressure system, traps heat over an area and leads to extreme temperatures.
- Effects of past pollution are causing current warming, and some damage, like shrinking Alpine glaciers, is permanent.
- Scientists say future summers could be as hot as this or hotter unless greenhouse gas emissions are reduced.
- Europe is likely to experience more severe warming compared to the global average in the coming decades.
Read the Full Article
This is a fact-based summary from The Actual News. Click below to read the complete story directly from the original source.
