The world is witnessing record temperatures this year indicating that climate change in taking a toll on the planet. Nearly 500 people have been reported dead by record-breaking temperatures and an unprecedented heatwave in Canada and other parts of North America.
June was an exceptionally hot month for several countries in the north hemisphere. A so-called ‘heat dome’, where high pressure traps the heat, is being blamed for the excessively high temperatures. On June 29, Lytton, a small town near Vancouver, hit 49.6 Celsius, setting a national record for the highest temperature in Canada. It has now been decimated by forest fires which were caused by the heatwave.
The Middle East – although known for its scorching temperatures – is also making new records. On June 22, the Kuwaiti city of Nuwaiseeb recorded the highest temperature in the world so far this year at 53.2 degrees. Many countries in the region included Iran, Iraq, Oman, UAE and Saudi Arabia have already recorded temperatures higher than 50 degrees only in the month of June.
The situation is similar even in Pakistan. The city of Jacobabad, located in Sindh, reached temperatures of 52C last month and has surpassed the threshold temperature which human beings can withstand. A report by British scientists said the grim milestone was crossed decades ahead of predictions based on climate change models. Ras al Khaimah in the UAE is the only other city to have crossed this deadly threshold. Jacobabad is known for its scorching temperatures but the situation is now getting out of control.
The situation in small towns and cities is exacerbated by frequent blackouts as few have air conditioning to beat the blistering heat. There is a shortage of drinking water leading to heat strokes, health-related illnesses and deaths. This region in Pakistan is likely to see even further rise in temperatures as it is particularly vulnerable to climate change. It is another question whether we are prepared to handle the effects of these scorching temperatures as we would witness more in the future.
The world is certainly getting hotter. A report by NASA found the last seven years have been the warmest on record which shows an ongoing and dramatic weather trend. We have to be prepared for the human impact as the climate worsens.
