The Guardian (June 3)
“Although western Europe is now mostly free from last week’s heat dome – which shattered temperature records for May in the UK and Ireland – it is already bracing for yet another sweltering summer. Oppressive days, restless nights and furious fires are brewing.” Though there are some “exceptions to the collective denial,” Europe is “still not ready for extreme heat.” It must get fully prepared. “Heat kills more people in Europe than almost any other issue you worry about – from crime to terror attacks – with many tens of thousands of early deaths each year.”
Tags: Crime, Deaths, Extreme heat, Fires, Heat dome, https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/jun/03/why-is-europe-still-not-ready-for-extreme-heat Europe, Ireland, May, Oppressive, Restless, Shattered, Summer, Sweltering, Temperature records, Terror attacks, UK
Washington Post (July 16)
The extreme heat events “should not be viewed in isolation.” They are “virtually impossible” to explain except for human-caused climate change. “Slashing greenhouse gas emissions and transitioning to a greener economy at the scale and pace needed would require creativity, innovation and political courage. But the cost if we fail is far more daunting: a future in which climate disasters, and all the damage and instability that come with them, become the new normal everywhere.”
Tags: Climate change, Climate disasters, Cost, Creativity, Daunting, Extreme heat, Fail, GHG emissions, Greener economy, Innovation, Isolation, Pace, Political courage, Scale, Transitioning
Mashable (December 27)
“Temperatures have soared above average across much of the continent, peaking at 49.1°C (120.38°F) in the town of Marble Bar.” This is “not the only extreme heat event Australia has experienced of late.” Blistering heat waves have been common since 2017 and the “Great Barrier Reef will never be the same following the devastating marine heat wave of 2015 and 2016.” Climate change is continuing “to rear its undeniable head… we can expect more extreme weather events like this up ahead.”
Tags: Australia, Climate change, Devastating, Extreme heat, Great Barrier Reef, Marble Bar, Temperatures, Undeniable
National Geographic (June 18)
“Dangerous heatwaves are far more common than anyone realized, killing people in more than 60 different parts of the world every year.” Approximately “30 percent of the world’s population is currently exposed to potentially deadly heat for 20 days per year or more—and like a growing forest fire, climate change is spreading this extreme heat.” Barring major reductions in GHG emissions, “up to 75 percent of people could face deadly heatwaves by 2100.”
Tags: Climate change, Dangerous, Deadly, Extreme heat, Forest fire, GHG emissions, Heatwaves, Population
