Summer has kicked off in the Northern Hemisphere with deadly heatwaves scorching cities across four continents. Record-breaking temperatures have led to hundreds of deaths in Asia, Europe, and beyond, with reports of pilgrims in Saudi Arabia enduring extreme heat during the hajj.
Across the Mediterranean, forest fires have ravaged countries like Portugal and Greece, while Serbia and Montenegro face sweltering temperatures. In the US, a heat dome has gripped the eastern states, prompting emergency measures and warnings.
India, too, is grappling with intense heat, with nighttime temperatures rising due to climate change. New Delhi has experienced a prolonged heatwave, leading to thousands of suspected heatstroke cases and confirmed deaths.
The relentless heat is part of a larger trend of warming global temperatures. Scientists warn that heatwaves will only worsen if climate-warming emissions continue unchecked, with projections indicating more frequent and intense heat events in the future.
As the world faces the prospect of record-breaking temperatures and prolonged heatwaves, the urgency to address climate change has never been greater.
© Thomson Reuters 2024.