Temperatures in the northwestern United States and Canada continue to rise, and another extreme heat wave is now expected over the coming week. The “heat dome” will cause record high temperatures in the west of the country, and in addition exacerbate drought and fire, writes USA Today.
Researchers believe that the heat waves that ravage are an event that only happens once per millennium, and is practically impossible without man-made climate change.
Devastated by a new heat wave
– An alarm clock for people
– It has been a serious and dangerous summer, some of the heat waves have been devastatingly hot, says senior researcher Michael Wehner at Lawrence Berkley National Labratory to The Guardian.
Wehner believes that the ongoing heat waves should make governments and companies better prepare for the health effects of high temperatures, which can range from heat stroke to difficulty breathing.
Climate expert Tore Furevik is not surprised that temperatures continue to rise.
– We see a pattern all over the world. There is only one solution – we must limit emissions. I hope this is a wake-up call for people, says Furevik to Dagbladet.
Grafikk: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
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– A “cocktail” for forest fires
North America has long been plagued by huge forest fires. As of now, there are over 80 active forest fires that together cover over one million acres of land.
Satellite images from the European Space Agency show that the smoke from the fires has now reached large parts of southern Norway. It has thus traveled more than 7,000 kilometers. This writes NRK.
– A major consequence that we see is an increasing number of forest fires. Heat and drought are a “cocktail” for forest fires, says Furevik.
Couple charged after baby party fire
President Joe Biden has previously expressed great concern about the intense heat, and the consequences of this.
– The threat of forest fires is more serious now than it has ever been, Biden said when he met governors from several of the affected states.
FARE: Temperatures in the United States have become dangerously high. Photo: Halvard Alvik / NTB
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Increasing worldwide
Kari-Anne Flatmark lives in Canada and tells Dagbladet that in several places the asphalt is so hot that it almost melts and is completely soft. There are also warnings everywhere with the inscription “do not walk your dog”, because the dogs can get burns.
Furevik emphasizes that it is not only the northwestern United States and Canada that are exposed to rising temperatures.
– Temperatures are now rising throughout the world. Over the last two or three years, we have seen several countries set new heat records, says Furevik and adds:
– Heat wave is not yet a concern here in Norway. We still have a bit to go on.
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