Record-breaking temperatures in 2024: A deadly consequence of climate change

Record-breaking temperatures in 2024: A deadly consequence of climate change




Without a doubt, the data ⁣consistently‍ confirms that 2024 goes down⁣ in history as Earth’s hottest year ever recorded, surpassing‌ the previous record⁤ set in 2023. However, mere temperatures fail to capture the true impact: oppressive humidity ⁣challenging our body’s cooling mechanisms, sleepless nights⁢ due ⁣to high nighttime temperatures, power failures, smoke from wildfires, destroyed crops, and a surge in ‌mosquito-borne illnesses. The ​toll ‍on humanity is undeniable.
Different regions across the globe have their own tales of how extreme heat in 2024 affected them.⁢ Let’s explore some⁢ of these narratives.
The capital of Arizona endured an astonishing 113 consecutive days with daytime temperatures exceeding ​100°F, resulting in numerous heat-related fatalities. Phoenix stands out for ⁢having ‌one of the ⁣most significant urban ⁢heat island effects globally: city temperatures are‌ approximately 12⁢ degrees higher than those in ‍rural surroundings.
An intense heatwave⁢ compounded by a prolonged drought led to power outages and⁢ was linked to‍ over‌ 120 deaths. The ⁤ensuing‌ water scarcity sparked concerns ⁣that North America’s‍ largest city was ⁤perilously close​ to‍ Day Zero – ‍a hypothetical day ‍when⁤ water reserves would be depleted.

2024-12-05 13:00:00
Originally published⁢ on www.sciencenews.org

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