Author: Emily Newton
It’s no secret that the planet is getting warmer, but July 2023 saw record-high temperatures that really turned heads. 2023 is an El Niño year — in addition to human-caused climate change, the Earth is undergoing an expected cycle of exceptionally warm weather that occurs every few years.
This double whammy has many people reaching for their water bottles and cranking up the AC. Why are scientists so worried about the heat?
Increased Wildfires
One of the biggest problems is that alongside record-high temperatures, there are wildfires. In general, wildfires need three conditions to occur — dry vegetation, an ignition source and dry winds.
The prolonged droughts occurring in many areas due to climate change are drying out grasses, shrubs and trees. When lightning strikes or someone drops a lit cigarette, a wildfire can start. A small flame only needs a third element — dry wind — to get out of control quickly. Due to increased drought conditions, it’s less likely that rain will put out wildfires early on, so they have more time to spread.
Canada is experiencing particularly severe wildfires this year. So far, the fires have displaced at least 120,000 people and destroyed homes and farmland across the country. The resulting smoke has drifted thousands of miles and polluted the air as far away as Norway, making it dangerous for many people to go outside around the globe.
In general, the hotter the planet gets, the more common and intense wildfires will become.
Extinctions
A few degrees of warming might not feel like a big deal to humans, but for many living organisms, it is. For example, if the Earth warms by just 1.5 degrees Celcius above pre-industrial levels, 70%-90% of coral reefs could die. This decline in one of the world’s most colourful ecosystems could happen as early as 2050 if we stay on our current track.
Other notable species at risk of extinction include snow leopards, polar bears, monarch butterflies, cheetahs and green sea turtles. But it isn’t just a case of losing some of our favourite animals — record-high temperatures also affect crops.
Wheat, peaches, coffee, corn and almonds are on the line if the planet keeps getting hotter. A decline in crop production would have profound consequences for our species, especially as the human population keeps growing.
Rising Sea Levels
As ice melts, it flows back into the ocean and causes the water level to rise. That may not affect those who live far inland, but for people living on the coast, it’s already causing serious issues.
The island nation of Tuvalu is already well aware of the effects of record-high temperatures caused by climate change and El Niño. Foreign minister Simon Kofe delivered a desperate speech about rising sea levels in an unusual manner during the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference — standing knee-deep in the ocean.
As he stood among the waves, he implored the world to take immediate action against climate change, opening people’s eyes to the fact that the entire country could be underwater in the next 100 years. Even for nations that won’t completely succumb to the ocean, rising sea levels cause soil erosion, threaten farmland and destroy homes and communities.
Heat-Related Illnesses
For people working outdoors or living without air conditioning, record-breaking heat means record-breaking levels of weather-related illnesses. Heat exhaustion, heat cramps and heat stroke have all been on the rise in the past 10 years, particularly affecting the elderly, children and people with chronic health issues.
Heat waves also accelerate the spread of certain infectious diseases. For example, polio, Zika, West Nile virus, COVID-19 and monkeypox spread more easily as host animals migrate to cooler areas. The warming climate means mosquitoes and ticks have a much greater range, allowing them to spread malaria and Lyme disease into new territories.
What Can We Do?
Luckily, you don’t have to sit back and watch islands flood or mosquitoes take over the Earth. You can take action! There are several ways you can reduce the spread of climate change:
- Eating less meat: Beef production, in particular, emits significant greenhouse gases that trap heat in the atmosphere. Choosing to eat less meat reduces emissions.
- Choosing renewable energy: Whether you’re installing solar panels or driving an electric car, choosing energy sources that don’t use fossil fuels helps in the fight against rising temperatures.
- Planting native trees: Trees absorb carbon dioxide that warms the atmosphere. As a bonus, they turn that gas into oxygen! By planting native trees — species that normally grow in an area — you can reduce the effects of climate change.
- Thrift shopping: Looking for a new jumper? Well, you probably aren’t in this heat. But, in general, try to buy secondhand clothes rather than new ones. The fashion industry is a strong contributor of greenhouse gas emissions.
El Niño and Climate Change Cause Record-High Temperatures
Human-driven climate change and the natural El Niño weather pattern are responsible for 2023 being the hottest year ever recorded. The record-high temperatures are driving intense wildfires and forcing many people to stay indoors for their own safety.
Fortunately, we still have time to take bold climate action. By switching to renewable energy, lowering our meat consumption, planting native trees and taking other small steps to improve the planet’s health, we won’t have to resign ourselves to perpetually running the AC.