Why are countries around the world experiencing excessive heat? | BBC News

Summary

The program discusses extreme weather events across four continents, highlighting the impact of climate change. It reports over a thousand deaths in Saudi Arabia due to heat during the Harge Festival and mentions record-breaking temperatures in India, Europe, and the US, where wildfires are exacerbated by high temperatures. Scientists from World Weather Attribution confirm that human-induced climate change has made extreme heat events 35 times more likely, with heatwaves now four times more probable than in 2000. The interview with Ruping, head of urban attribution at the Red Cross Red Crescent Climate Center, emphasizes the importance of nighttime cooling and the role of heat domes in exacerbating heat impacts. The segment also covers individual and governmental actions to mitigate heatwave effects, including early warning systems and heat action plans.

Takeaways

• 🌍 Extreme weather is being experienced across four continents, indicating the impact of climate change on global temperatures.
• 🔥 In Saudi Arabia, over a thousand people died due to extreme heat during the Harge Festival.
• 🌡️ India's capital Delhi has seen temperatures soar above 50° C, causing several deaths.
• 🏛 Greece has experienced its earliest summer heatwave on record.
• 🔥 The United States is battling wildfires exacerbated by high temperatures and a brewing tropical storm.
• ⚠️ A report by World Weather Attribution states that human-induced climate change has made extreme heat events 35 times more likely in the US Southwest, Mexico, and Central America.
• 🌡️ Nighttime temperatures have become up to 200 times more likely to be extreme, impacting human health and recovery.
• 🌳 Climate change is caused by increasing greenhouse gases, which supercharge weather systems and create persistent heat domes.
• ⏰ Heatwave early warning systems can predict maximum temperatures days in advance, providing an opportunity to reduce impacts.
• 🏠 Individual actions such as passive cooling, shading homes, and planting trees can help mitigate heat impacts.
• 🏛️ Governments and organizations like the Red Cross are urged to develop heat action plans, including opening cooling centers and distributing water during heatwaves.

Q & A

What is being discussed in the program's introduction?

The program is discussing the extreme weather conditions being experienced across four continents, highlighting the impact of climate change on temperatures and recent heat-related deaths.

How many people have reportedly died due to heat in the annual Harge Festival in Saudi Arabia?

More than a thousand people have reportedly died due to the stifling heat during the annual Harge Festival in Saudi Arabia.

What temperatures have been recorded in Delhi, India, according to the script?

Temperatures in Delhi, India have been recorded to be more than 50° C.

What is the significance of the report released by scientists from World Weather Attribution?

The report states that human-induced climate change has made recent extreme heat in the US Southwest, Mexico, and Central America around 35 times more likely.

What is the role of Ruping, the head of urban attribution at the Red Cross Red Crescent Climate Center, in the program?

Ruping's team helped develop the report on climate change and extreme heat, and she is invited to the program to discuss the findings and implications.

What is the impact of nighttime temperatures on human health as mentioned in the script?

Nighttime temperatures, which are becoming more likely due to climate change, impact human health as they are when the body is supposed to rest and recover, leading to many heat-related deaths.

What is the mechanism behind the increasing temperatures and heatwaves mentioned in the script?

The mechanism involves increasing greenhouse gases that warm the planet and supercharge weather systems, leading to heat domes where heat sticks around for extended periods.

What is a 'heat dome' and how does it affect temperatures?

A heat dome is an area of high pressure with little cloud cover and rainfall, resulting in high temperatures that persist for days, impacting both infrastructure and people's ability to cope with the heat.

How can heatwave early warning systems help mitigate the impacts of extreme heat?

Heatwave early warning systems can predict maximum temperatures days in advance, providing an opportunity to warn people and reduce the impacts of heatwaves.

What individual actions and government measures are suggested to adapt to the extreme heat?

Individual actions include staying hydrated, using passive cooling technologies, shading homes, and planting trees. Government measures involve developing heat action plans, opening cooling centers, distributing water, and ensuring access to electricity for cooling.

What is the current situation regarding extreme heat and wildfires in the United States as described by the correspondent?

Over a quarter of the US population is under an excessive heat advisory with temperatures exceeding 90° F and expected to go over 100° F. Wildfires are breaking out on the west coast, made worse by high temperatures.

How have authorities and the political discourse reacted to the extreme weather conditions?

The advice from authorities is to stay safe and follow common sense measures such as seeking shade, drinking water, and managing outdoor work for vulnerable groups. The script does not provide specific political reactions but emphasizes the importance of personal and community adaptation.