Human-Induced Climate Change Plays ‘Overwhelming’ Role in July Heatwaves: Scientists
Human-Induced Climate Change Plays 'Overwhelming' Role in July ... Insurance Journal
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Human-Induced Climate Change and Extreme Heatwaves
Human-induced climate change has played an “absolutely overwhelming” role in the extreme heatwaves that have swept across North America, Europe, and China this month, according to an assessment by scientists published on Tuesday.
Record-Breaking Temperatures and Devastating Consequences
Throughout July, extreme weather has caused havoc across the planet, with temperatures breaking records in China, the United States, and southern Europe, sparking forest fires, water shortages, and a rise in heat-related hospital admissions.
The Influence of Climate Change
Without human-induced climate change, the events this month would have been “extremely rare,” according to a study by World Weather Attribution, a global team of scientists that examines the role played by climate change in extreme weather.
“European and North American temperatures would have been virtually impossible without the effects of climate change,” said Izidine Pinto of the Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute, one of the study’s authors, during a briefing with journalists. “In China, it was around 50 times more likely to happen compared to the past.”
The Impact of Rising Greenhouse Gas Concentrations
The World Weather Attribution team estimated that rising greenhouse gas concentrations made the European heatwave 2.5 Celsius (4.5 Fahrenheit) hotter than it would otherwise have been. They also drove up the North American heatwave by 2C and the one in China by 1C.
Consequences for Human Health and Agriculture
As well as directly impacting human health, the heat has caused large-scale crop damage and livestock losses, the scientists said, with U.S. corn and soybean crops, Mexican cattle, southern European olives, as well as Chinese cotton all severely affected.
The Need for Action
El Nino probably contributed to the additional heat in some regions, but rising greenhouse gases were the major factor, the scientists said, and heatwaves will become increasingly likely if emissions are not slashed.
They estimated that prolonged periods of extreme heat were likely to hit every two to five years if average global temperatures rise 2C above pre-industrial levels. Average temperatures are currently estimated to have risen more than 1.1C.
“As long as we keep burning fossil fuels we will see more and more of these extremes,” said Friederike Otto, a scientist with the Grantham Institute for Climate Change in London, speaking at the briefing. “I don’t think there’s any stronger evidence that any science has ever presented for a scientific question.”
Conclusion
Human-induced climate change has significantly contributed to the extreme heatwaves experienced in North America, Europe, and China this month. These events would have been extremely rare without the effects of climate change. Rising greenhouse gas concentrations have intensified the heatwaves, causing devastating consequences for human health and agriculture. Urgent action is needed to reduce emissions and mitigate the impacts of climate change.
(Reporting by David Stanway; editing by Miral Fahmy)
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SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Analysis
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
- SDG 13: Climate Action
The article discusses the role of human-induced climate change in extreme heatwaves that have occurred in North America, Europe, and China. This directly relates to SDG 13, which focuses on taking urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts.
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
- Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters
- Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning
- Target 13.3: Improve education, awareness-raising, and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction, and early warning
- Target 13.b: Promote mechanisms for raising capacity for effective climate change-related planning and management
The article highlights the need to address the impacts of extreme heatwaves caused by climate change. These targets focus on building resilience, integrating climate change measures into policies and planning, improving education and awareness, and promoting capacity building for effective climate change management.
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
- Indicator 13.1.1: Number of deaths, missing persons, and directly affected persons attributed to disasters per 100,000 population
- Indicator 13.2.1: Number of countries that have integrated mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction, and early warning into primary, secondary, and tertiary curricula
- Indicator 13.3.1: Number of countries that have communicated the strengthening of institutional, systemic, and individual capacity-building to implement adaptation, mitigation, and technology transfer
- Indicator 13.b.1: Number of least developed countries and small island developing states that are receiving specialized support, and amount of support, including finance, technology, and capacity-building, for mechanisms for raising capacities for effective climate change-related planning and management
The article mentions the impacts of extreme heatwaves on human health and the need for education, awareness, and capacity building. These indicators can be used to measure progress in terms of reducing the impacts of disasters, integrating climate change measures into education, strengthening institutional capacity, and providing support to vulnerable countries.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Table
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 13: Climate Action | Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters | Indicator 13.1.1: Number of deaths, missing persons, and directly affected persons attributed to disasters per 100,000 population |
| Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning | Indicator 13.2.1: Number of countries that have integrated mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction, and early warning into primary, secondary, and tertiary curricula | |
| Target 13.3: Improve education, awareness-raising, and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction, and early warning | Indicator 13.3.1: Number of countries that have communicated the strengthening of institutional, systemic, and individual capacity-building to implement adaptation, mitigation, and technology transfer | |
| Target 13.b: Promote mechanisms for raising capacity for effective climate change-related planning and management | Indicator 13.b.1: Number of least developed countries and small island developing states that are receiving specialized support, and amount of support, including finance, technology, and capacity-building, for mechanisms for raising capacities for effective climate change-related planning and management |
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Source: insurancejournal.com
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