How deadly heatwaves are blown up by climate change

Summary

Climate scientist Adam discusses the alarming impact of climate change on heatwaves, explaining how burning fossil fuels increases their frequency and intensity. He highlights the deadly consequences of extreme heat, emphasizing the need for better education, infrastructure, and support networks to protect vulnerable populations. Adam calls for urgent action to reduce CO2 emissions to prevent worsening heatwaves and their devastating effects.

Takeaways

• 🌡️ Heatwaves are intensifying globally, with extreme temperatures being recorded even before the full onset of summer in the northern hemisphere.
• 🌍 Research indicates that climate change is turbocharging heatwaves, making them more severe and frequent.
• 🔥 The burning of fossil fuels is a primary cause of increased greenhouse gases, which in turn is heating the planet and exacerbating heatwaves.
• 📈 Scientists have found that climate change has made extreme daytime temperatures 35 times more likely and record-breaking nighttime temperatures around 200 times more likely.
• 🌡️ Every heatwave occurring today is hotter and more probable due to global warming.
• 📊 Changes in average temperatures have a 'supersized' effect on temperature extremes, making rare events more common.
• 🌳 An analogy is made comparing the increase in average height in a population to the increase in average temperature, highlighting how extremes become more common.
• 💔 Heatwaves are silent killers, causing heat exhaustion, heat stroke, and a significant rise in heat-related deaths, especially among the most vulnerable populations.
• 🏠 Protection from heatwaves involves staying hydrated and cool, but this is challenging for those without adequate housing or who must work outdoors.
• 🛠️ Measures to protect against heatwaves include better education, infrastructure improvements like better housing and cooling centers, and support networks for the vulnerable.
• 🛑 Stopping the heating of the planet by ceasing the burning of fossil fuels and CO2 emissions can halt the worsening of heatwaves.
• 🌳 The script ends with a warning about the potential devastating effects on the Amazon rainforest if climate change is not addressed.

Q & A

What is the main concern discussed in the video script?

The main concern discussed in the video script is the increasing frequency and intensity of heatwaves around the world, which are being exacerbated by climate change.

What is the role of fossil fuels in intensifying heatwaves?

Burning fossil fuels releases greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, which trap heat and contribute to global warming, making heatwaves more extreme and less rare.

How does the climate scientist Adam, with a PhD from Oxford, frame the urgency of the current heatwave situation?

Adam frames the urgency by highlighting the devastating impacts of heatwaves globally, such as the high death toll during the Hajj pilgrimage and the widespread suffering in the US, Europe, and Asia.

What is the 'heat dome' phenomenon mentioned in the script?

The 'heat dome' is a weather phenomenon where a large area of high pressure traps hot air, leading to extreme heat and making it difficult for the temperature to cool down.

How does climate change increase the likelihood of extreme temperatures?

Climate change increases the likelihood of extreme temperatures by making what used to be rare heatwaves more common and more intense due to the overall warming of the planet.

What is the analogy used by Adam to explain the impact of shifting average temperatures on extreme heat events?

Adam uses the analogy of average height in Germany compared to the UK, where an increase in the average height leads to more occurrences of very tall people, similarly, an increase in average temperatures leads to more occurrences of extreme heat events.

What are some of the health risks associated with extreme heat according to the script?

The health risks associated with extreme heat include heat exhaustion, heat stroke, and the inability of the body to regulate its internal temperature, which can cause organs to overheat and fail.

How have heat-related deaths changed in Europe over the past 20 years as mentioned in the script?

Heat-related deaths in Europe have increased by almost a third in just 20 years, indicating the growing impact of heatwaves on human health.

What are some of the protective measures suggested in the script to mitigate the effects of heatwaves?

The script suggests protective measures such as education about what to do during extreme heat, better infrastructure like cooling centers and housing, and support networks to check on vulnerable individuals in communities.

What is the long-term solution proposed by Adam to prevent heatwaves from getting worse?

The long-term solution proposed by Adam is to stop burning fossil fuels and emitting CO2, which would halt the further worsening of heatwaves.

What additional consequence is mentioned in the script if we do not address the issue of climate change?

The script mentions the potential destruction of the Amazon rainforest as an additional consequence if we do not address climate change.

Outlines

00:00

🌡️ Deadly Impact of Climate Change on Heatwaves

The first paragraph introduces the urgency of the current heatwave crisis, emphasizing its global reach and deadly consequences. It explains how climate change, through the burning of fossil fuels and the release of greenhouse gases, is intensifying heatwaves, making them more frequent and severe. The paragraph uses statistical evidence to show the increased likelihood of extreme temperatures due to climate change, highlighting the 35-fold and 200-fold increases in the probabilities of daytime and nighttime temperatures, respectively. It also provides a simple analogy comparing the increase in average height in Germany to the increase in average global temperature, illustrating how this shift amplifies the occurrence of extreme events.

05:01

🌍 Protecting the Vulnerable from Intensifying Heatwaves

The second paragraph discusses the societal impacts of heatwaves, focusing on the most vulnerable populations such as the very young, the elderly, and those with pre-existing health conditions. It points out the challenges faced by those without adequate housing or who must work outdoors. The paragraph suggests measures for protection, including education about heatwave safety, improved infrastructure like better housing and cooling centers, and stronger community support networks. It concludes with the assertion that ceasing to emit CO2 by halting the burning of fossil fuels can prevent further worsening of heatwaves, and hints at the broader consequences of inaction, such as the potential impact on the Amazon rainforest.

Keywords

💡Heatwaves

Heatwaves refer to prolonged periods of excessively hot weather, which can have severe impacts on health, agriculture, and the environment. In the video, the speaker discusses how heatwaves are intensifying due to climate change, causing widespread suffering and posing a significant threat to human life. The script mentions specific instances, such as temperatures soaring above 50°C in Mecca, leading to over a thousand deaths during the Hajj pilgrimage.

💡Climate Change

Climate change is a long-term alteration in the Earth's climate patterns, primarily due to human activities such as burning fossil fuels, which increase greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere. The video's theme revolves around the exacerbation of heatwaves by climate change, making them more frequent and intense. The speaker, a climate scientist, explains how climate change turbocharges heatwaves, making them more deadly.

💡Extreme Heat

Extreme heat is a term used to describe unusually high temperatures that can be dangerous to human health and the environment. The video script emphasizes the global impact of extreme heat, affecting various regions including the US, Europe, and Asia. The speaker uses the term to highlight the severity of the current heatwaves and their connection to climate change.

💡Greenhouse Gases

Greenhouse gases are gases in the Earth's atmosphere that trap heat, leading to the greenhouse effect and global warming. In the video, the speaker explains that burning fossil fuels releases these gases, contributing to climate change and the intensification of heatwaves. The script provides a clear example of how these gases are making heatwaves more extreme and less rare.

💡Heat Dome

A heat dome is a weather phenomenon characterized by a large area of high pressure that causes unusually hot temperatures. The video script mentions the heat dome affecting the US, causing extreme heat for over four out of five Americans. This term is used to illustrate the specific meteorological conditions that can lead to widespread and prolonged heatwaves.

💡Climate Scientist

A climate scientist is a professional who studies the climate and its changes, often focusing on understanding the impacts of human activities on the climate system. In the video, the speaker introduces himself as a climate scientist with a PhD from Oxford, indicating his expertise and credibility in discussing the impacts of climate change on heatwaves.

💡Vulnerability

Vulnerability, in the context of the video, refers to the susceptibility of certain populations to suffer more severely from the effects of heatwaves. The script highlights the most vulnerable groups, such as the elderly, infants, and those with pre-existing health conditions. The speaker emphasizes the need for better education, infrastructure, and support networks to protect these individuals from extreme heat.

💡Heat Exhaustion

Heat exhaustion is a medical condition that occurs when the body is unable to cool itself during extreme heat, leading to symptoms such as heavy sweating, weakness, and nausea. The video script discusses how too much heat can cause the body's internal temperature to become dangerously high, leading to heat exhaustion and potentially more severe conditions like heat stroke.

💡Mortality

Mortality refers to the incidence of death in a population. The video script cites research showing that heat-related deaths in Europe have increased by almost a third in just 20 years, underscoring the deadly nature of heatwaves and the urgency of addressing climate change to prevent further increases in mortality rates.

💡Infrastructure

Infrastructure in the video refers to the basic physical and organizational structures needed for a society to function, such as housing and cooling centers. The speaker suggests that improving infrastructure, particularly in terms of better housing and short-term cooling centers, is crucial for protecting vulnerable populations from the effects of extreme heat.

💡CO2 Emissions

CO2 emissions, or carbon dioxide emissions, are a major contributor to climate change as they are a greenhouse gas that traps heat in the atmosphere. The video script connects CO2 emissions to the intensification of heatwaves and emphasizes the importance of reducing these emissions to prevent further worsening of heatwaves. The speaker calls for an immediate halt to the burning of fossil fuels to stop the increase in CO2 emissions.

Highlights

Heatwaves are hitting the world like never before, with extreme heat affecting people globally even as summer has barely begun in the northern hemisphere.

Research is highlighting the deadly nature of these heatwave disasters, emphasizing the urgency of understanding and addressing the issue.

Climate change is turbocharging heatwaves, making them more extreme and less rare due to the increased greenhouse gases from burning fossil fuels.

The North American heatwave's extreme daytime temperatures were made 35 times more likely, and nighttime temperatures 200 times more likely, due to climate change.

Every current heatwave is hotter and more likely because of global warming, indicating a direct link between climate change and extreme heat events.

The technical explanation for the increased severity of heatwaves is that changes in average temperatures have a supersized effect on extremes.

An anecdotal explanation compares the increase in average height in Germany to the increase in extreme temperatures, illustrating how averages affect extremes.

Heatwaves are silent killers, causing the body to overheat and leading to heat exhaustion and potentially fatal heat stroke.

Heat-related deaths in Europe have increased by almost a third in just 20 years, highlighting the growing threat of extreme heat.

The most vulnerable populations, including the very young, elderly, and those with health issues, are most affected by heatwaves.

Basic protection measures against heatwaves include staying hydrated and staying cool indoors, but these are not accessible to everyone.

Protecting vulnerable people from extreme heat requires better education, infrastructure, and support networks.

Once we stop heating the planet by ceasing the burning of fossil fuels and CO2 emissions, we can prevent heatwaves from getting worse.

The Amazon rainforest is at risk if we do not take action to mitigate climate change and its effects on extreme heat.

The video creator, a climate scientist with a PhD from Oxford, emphasizes the importance of understanding climate change's impact on heatwaves.

The creator expresses gratitude for reaching 50,000 subscribers and promises a special video celebrating the milestone while addressing the urgency of the current heatwave situation.

Transcripts

Heatwaves are hitting us

like never before.

Summer is barely here

in the northern hemisphere,

and we're already seeing

people across the globe

suffering under extreme heat.

And now research is making clear

just how deadly

these disasters can be.

So how is climate

change turbocharging heat waves,

and what can we do to protect ourselves

– now and in the future?

I'm Adam, a climate scientist

with a PhD from Oxford, sharing

what you need to know

about climate change.

And I didn't want to be making

this video right now.

You see, I just hit 50,000 subscribers

and I planned a special video

to celebrate that I was all ready to film

and then...

this.

But seriously, I am thrilled

to have over 50,000 of you

incredible CliMates

in this community.

Thank you all so much

for being here.

And that celebration video is still coming,

and it's going to be a really good one,

peering into the deep future

of climate change.

If you're not already,

make sure you're subscribed

so you don't miss it.

Okay, but there's an important reason

that I'm not making that video right now.

And it's because heat waves

have been devastating our world.

And I really mean

the world here.

There's been devastating heat

all over: temperatures

soaring above 50°C in Mecca,

killing over a thousand

people who are making the Hajj pilgrimage.

More than four out of

every five US

Americans sweltering

under extreme heat thanks to a weather

phenomenon known as a heat dome.

And then there's been the heat hitting Europe.

And southern Asia.

And eastern Asia.

So, in summary, an extreme

amount of extreme heat.

But as countless

commenters delight in pointing out:

We had heat waves before

climate change, too!

And they're right. We did.

But today's heat

waves hit different.

You see, by burning fossil fuels

we’re pumping greenhouse gases

into the atmosphere

and heating the planet.

And surprise, surprise, heating the planet

is making heat waves

that used to be extremely rare

more extreme,

but less rare.

But what might actually be a surprise is

just how huge this effect can be.

For example, scientists analyzed

the start of the North American

heat wave and found that

the extreme daytime temperatures

were made about 35 times

more likely because of

climate change.

The record breaking

nighttime temperatures?

Aound 200 times

more likely.

In fact, researchers have found that

every single heat wave happening

these days is made hotter

and more likely because we're

heating the planet.

So, why?

Why is extreme heat

getting such extreme

boosts from global warming?

Well, the technical

explanation is that changes in the average

have supersized

effects on extremes.

But let me give you a less technical,

more anecdotal explanation.

If you've been watching this channel a while,

you might recognize it,

but cut me some slack.

I needed to make this video in like two days.

So I grew up in the UK

but now live in Germany.

People in Germany are on average

taller than people in the UK,

and as someone with average height

for an adult British human,

I noticed this a lot when I moved here.

I definitely saw a lot more people

who were six foot tall.

But I also noticed quite a few people

who are six foot three, a height

that would be pretty rare in the UK.

What I really noticed

though was the super

tall people.

You know, there are heights

so tall, I'd basically

never see anyone that tall in the UK.

But here occasionally

I would see these people who I’d

previously thought of

as impossibly tall.

It's just the same with changes in temperature.

Shifting the average temperature up has heat

boosting effects on every heat wave,

but by far

the biggest impact is

on the most extremely

tall – I mean the most extremely hot

events, which go from

being incredibly rare,

maybe even effectively

impossible,

to actually happening.

And unlike all the tall

people in Germany – who at their worst

give me a crick in my neck –

all this heat can be deadly.

While the carnage they cause

is much harder to visualize than it is

for floods or fires or droughts,

heat waves are silent

killers.

Too much heat means that the body

can't regulate its

internal temperature, and your organs

literally get too hot to function.

That means heat exhaustion

and then eventually

heat stroke.

And recent research looking at Europe shows

that in just 20 years, heat related

deaths have shot up

by almost a third.

This affects the most vulnerable among us.

Think of the little babies

you know, your elderly relatives

and people who already have

health issues.

But other people are at high risk too.

You see the basics of protecting ourselves

from heat waves aren't

rocket science.

It's stuff like staying hydrated

and staying cool indoors.

But how do you do that

if you don't have decent

housing or don't have housing at all?

Or if you have to

work outside to earn a living?

So we have to do more to protect the most

vulnerable people from extreme heat.

This can mean better education so that

people know what to do

and what not to do

when extreme heat hits.

It can mean better

infrastructure, whether that's better

housing or short

term cooling centers.

And it can mean better

support networks,

checking in on those

vulnerable people

in our communities.

But the hotter we make the planet,

the more severe heat waves we’ll have,

more often, as we're

already seeing today.

But the flip side of that is that once

we stop heating the planet –

in other words, we stop burning

fossil fuels and stop emitting CO2 –

we stop the heat

waves getting worse.

So we should

probably do that as soon as possible.

And if you need another

reason to stop heating the planet,

here's what could happen

to the Amazon rainforest

if we don't get our act together.

Okay, until next

time... Bye!