Climate change causes record high temperatures – study

A new study published by World Weather Attribution on Friday revealed record-breaking high temperatures witnessed in some Mediterranean countries was made possible by climate change.

The study looked into the influence of climate change on the occurrence and intensity of heat waves. Researchers examined in specific the heat wave which hit Spain, Portugal, Morocco and Algeria in April.

Using a computer simulation of a world without climate change, results revealed the Mediterranean heat wave would have been less severe by more than two degrees Celsius.

Sjoukje Philip, researcher at the Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute referred to the “need to better understand the regional effects of climate change.”

Roop Singh, senior climate risk adviser at the Red Cross Red Crescent Climate Centre explained such weather conditions would prompt early adaptation of heat-countering measures.

Philip also referred to heat adaptation measures in Spain being employed earlier than usual. “This is the type of adaptive heat action we need to see… to reduce preventable deaths from heat,” Philip stated.

Such measures include advising citizens to avoid outdoor activities at certain timings, in addition to monitoring heat-related hospital admissions.

The Mediterranean region has also been experiencing severe drought for two years now. Besides, it is one of the most vulnerable regions to effects of climate change.

It is worth mentioning that the World Weather Attribution is an organisation which studies how climate change is affecting extreme weather events.