Summer temperatures have been climbing across the globe, resulting in recent heat waves that made news headlines – a pattern that many are ascribing to global warming. But is this really the case? Could a sustained period of warmer temperature merit such an unambiguous link? To answer this question, factors and evidence must be examined to determine the validity of this connection and its implications.
The first factor to consider is the changing nature of our climate. Climate experts state that the global temperature is increasing and climate models predict an increase of about 1.4–5.8 ˚C over the next 100 years. This means temperatures will become warmer and longer heat waves can be expected. Therefore, it is safe to conclude that the global warming trend is a contributing factor to the recent prolonged heat waves.
This information is further supported by evidence measured in the atmosphere at different altitudes. As air warms, moisture rises to higher altitudes, creating a hotter upper atmosphere which in turn traps more heat, leading to further warming and further elevation of humidity. This evidence reinforces that heat waves and global warming are indeed intertwined.
It is also important to consider the impact of global warming on human life. As temperatures soar, communities can be subjected to heat exhaustion, dehydration and other health issues. Prolonged exposure can be particularly hazardous to vulnerable populations, such as the elderly and children. Consequently, healthcare providers are being increasingly made aware of the correlating risks associated with climate change.
However, it is also necessary to keep in mind that the heat wave may not be solely attributed to global warming. Natural fluctuations in temperature cause summer temperatures to rise and fall, and other contributors to the heat wave could be the geographic location and land use patterns. While global warming is an increasingly important factor to consider, it is not the only one.
In light of the presented evidence, it is clear that global warming is a contributing factor in such occurrences as heat waves. The globe is getting hotter in both its atmosphere and land, and heat waves are becoming more severe. Therefore, it is important to remain vigilant and take necessary precautions when temperatures rise. We must take personal responsibility, as well as political and legislative action, to reduce the effects of global warming and ultimately preserve our environment.
