A heat wave breaks. Many people enjoy it, to sizzle in the sun. These temperatures but it’s not just a brown complexion, but can have disastrous consequences for nature.
We all enjoy Sunny days and complain to us when it is raining. The blue sky and the sun’s rays be deceiving, however, an unpleasant truth: across the globe, the maximum temperatures have reached critical levels. The consequences of forest fires, ruined Crops, and the death of many people.
2016 was the year with the highest global temperatures since measurements.This is due to a combination of the weather phenomenon, El Niño, and global warming. Although we are experiencing 2018, the opposite weather phenomenon La Niña, which lowers the temperatures, was June of this year, one of the hottest since temperature records – signs of a heat wave.
A heat wave describes a state in which at least five days of average temperatures by five degrees be exceeded. Individual extreme hot days, however, can be neither a heat wave nor the global warming attributed to it.
“At the moment the Trend is, however,that we must expect as a result of climate change, continue with extreme heat waves,” says Clare Nullis, press officer of the world meteorological organization.
More: Bad crop in Germany will be in danger existences
Destroyed the maize crop as a result of the drought.
The heat takes its toll
For people in southern Europe, 30 degrees in the summer are nothing special. For a Person from the United Kingdom or Ireland, however, this is more than exceptional. In the normal case, the temperatures do not exceed in June, not even the 20 degree mark.
28. June, have been achieved in Glasgow temperature of 31.9 degrees Celsius. In Shannon, Ireland, were even measured 32 degrees – a new record.
German, by contrast, are accustomed, in the meantime, at temperatures of about 30 degrees in may and June, you can enjoy some even. In Georgia but was placed again created a masterpiece: an all-time high of 40.5 degrees measured in June.
Montreal in Canada, reached earlier this month, the highest temperatures since 147 years. The heat wave called for the death of 70 people, primarily through cardiovascular diseases.
In Ouargla, a town of Algeria, in the Sahara desert, has reached a temperature of incredible to 51.3 degrees.
In the current climate change scenario, heat waves are “in the second half of the 21st century. Century occur every two years”, reported Vladimir Kendrovski, which is in the European office of the world health organization (WHO) for the Department of climate change and health responsible.
To hot to Survive
But will that be enough time to get used to it? Kendrovski explains that “the heat wave deaths in Europe in the last decades, more and more Deaths, than any other extreme weather”.
One of the reasons: The high temperatures under certain weather conditions to summer smog. More circulatory and respiratory problems occur during the flying of Pollen to trigger at the same time more and more Asthma, according to the WHO.
In addition, the high temperatures while Sleeping disrupt. Although the body needs rest so badly from the stress, he can at night because of the heat not even.
“Small children and the elderly suffer the most,” says Simone, sandy wood, who works at the United Nations University Institute for environment and human security. “Most of the victims of the heat wave, living in densely populated cities with little air exchange,” she adds.
Just heat and humidity, according to Nullis, for the people is a deadly combination. Already 70 people were in Montreal for the victims. Also in Japan, 14 people died in June, while more than 2000 had to be taken to the hospital.
Stinging Pests
Add to that the wasps and other pests will find the perfect conditions for propagation. In England, the emergency calls have doubled due to insect bites in July.
Much worse than a stab in the enjoyment of the cherry cake the danger is, however, by mosquitoes – especially when they transmit Malaria, dengue fever or other diseases. Kendrovski on the assumption that there is a connection between climate change and of such parasite-borne diseases.
And even the brain no longer works the way it should. The high temperatures can cause our brain works up to 10 percent slower, has found out a just-released study.
Another study in New York schools suggests that, perhaps, 90,000 pupils in examinations are failed, they would have passed normally – all due to the high temperatures.
Mosquitoes multiply better at high temperatures.
A more complex circuit
Forest fires are a result of the relentless burning sun. Of 80,000 hectares of forests have fallen in the United Kingdom, Sweden, and Russia to the extreme weather phenomenon to the victims.
Fields dry up or even catch fire. In the UK, farmers had difficulties, the demand for peas and lettuce still to cover. Low yields and crop failures were on the agenda. Not quite as bad, but still threatened the Broccoli, cabbage and wheat.
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In Germany, the farmers have come to terms now that the grain harvest will be far less successful than in recent years. “We will again have a harvest that is far below average,” said Joachim Rukwied, President of the German farmers ‘ Association (DVB) compared to the DW. Further, he reported that some farmers would consider the harvest, not only to collect, but to destroy – the work would simply not be worth it.
Access to air-conditioning systems and the cooling systems seems to be at these temperatures is particularly important, but also has a shadow side. Because the energy of these systems feeds-makers, mainly from fossil energy. Thus, the more is cooled, the more it becomes a vicious circle contributed to climate change, and the more the temperatures rise.
Time, the things to adjust
Kendrovski points particularly to the point: “If the health system would be better adapted to meteorological systems, health problems due to the heat wave avoid.”
Sand the wood would, however, continue in the fight against the heat, especially on better city planning. The influence of heat on urban areas could be reduced through Parks or Wind corridors.
Mrs sandy wood is an appeal to all: “We should not underestimate the heat in”.