Deadly Heat Waves Linked to Climate Change in US and Mexico
- Recent deadly heat waves in the United States, Mexico, and Central America have been made 35 times more likely due to climate change.
- Extreme heat has become four times more likely than at the turn of the millennium, emphasizing the urgent need to reduce fossil fuel emissions.
- Experts urge immediate action to mitigate the impact of global warming on heat-related disasters.
Deadly heat that recently affected the United States, Mexico, and Central America was made 35 times more likely due to global warming, according to the World Weather Attribution (WWA) group of scientists. The extreme highs witnessed in May and June were four times as likely to occur today compared to a quarter of a century ago. The record-breaking heat resulted in at least 125 deaths in Mexico and caused numerous heat strokes. The impacts of heat are intensified by poor housing conditions and limited access to cooling services in Mexico and Central America. The scientists emphasized the need for action plans and safety measures to protect outdoor workers and vulnerable populations. The study found that human-induced warming from burning fossil fuels made the extreme heat event significantly hotter and more likely. The researchers warned that as long as fossil fuel emissions continue, the heat will only worsen, leading to more deaths and economic losses. The analysis also highlighted the danger posed by high night-time temperatures, which can be a severe threat to health. The WWA group conducts rapid-attribution studies to assess the role of climate change in extreme weather events worldwide.