The EU’s Copernicus Climate Change Service recently confirmed that summer 2023 was the hottest on record, and by a “large margin”. Scientists found that the average global temperature between June and August was 16.77C (62.18F), 0.66C above the 1990-2020 average. The summer of records has been characterised by extreme heatwaves that have swept across the globe as well as other natural disasters such as flooding, hurricanes, and wildfires. In this article, we take a look at this summer’s main extreme weather events and how climate change shaped them.

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Heatwaves 

Summer 2023 was the hottest on record, and by a “large margin”, scientists confirmed.

Temperatures in June were 0.5C above the 1991-2020 average, with twice the chances of breaking the previously joint 1940/1975 record of 14.9C. Meanwhile, July has also shattered records, becoming the hottest month in at least 120,000 years. For the first 23 days of the month, global temperatures have risen to 16.95C on average globally. More than 80% of people on the planet have experienced a hotter July, according to a recent study. 

Another study found Southeast Asian countries such as Vietnam, Laos and Thailand to be the most vulnerable to heatwaves and the first to experience this summer’s intense heat. In late spring, the Hoi Xuan region of Vietnam recorded a boiling temperature of 44.1C, breaking the 2019 record of 43.4C. Neighbouring country Laos also reached similar temperatures, hitting a historic high of 43.5C. Bangkok, Thailand’s capital, saw a record temperature of 41C. 

Provinces in China also experienced shocking temperatures this summer. In Xinjiang, a province in northwest China, temperature reached 52.2C. The capital Beijing also experienced temperatures past 40C for several weeks, and in mid-July saw its second highest temperature ever recorded since 1961.

On the opposite side of the globe, the US also experienced scorching temperatures, with California’s Death Valley reaching the highest temperature ever recorded on Earth: 56.7C. A heat dome that covered the area is said to be the cause behind the scorching heat.

Last but not least, European countries and the Mediterranean were also severely affected by this year’s heatwaves. In mid-July –peak tourism season in the country – local authorities in 16 Italian cities issued a red heat alert. The islands of Sicily and Sardinia saw maximum temperatures of 49C, a new record high. Recent research by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) found that Europe is the world’s fastest-warming continent and has warmed twice as fast than any other continent since the 1980s.

Aside from temperatures on land, ocean temperatures are on the rise, too. In early August, the Mediterranean Sea surface temperatures hit record highs of 28.7C. For context, 17,000 marine species inhabit the Mediterranean Sea, and its temperatures are now warming 20% faster than the global average. In the US, Florida’s sea surface temperatures reached bath-tub levels. Here, a buoy in the Manatee Bay of Florida Keys measured a scorching temperature of 38.38C. To illustrate the abnormality of the situation, ocean waters in this area are usually their warmest around March. 

This summer’s extreme temperatures are said to be an effect of the El Niño, a climate phenomenon related to the warming of sea surface temperatures in the central-east equatorial Pacific. Earlier this year, experts had warned that its comeback this year is making it “very likely” that global average temperatures will exceed 1.5C of warming, beyond which even half a degree will significantly worsen the risks of drought, floods, extreme heatwaves, and result in food and water insecurity and poverty for millions of people worldwide.  

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Floods and Hurricanes 

Floods and hurricanes hit several parts of the globe this summer, with costly impacts on the economies of these countries, as huge amounts of funding are needed in order to repair broken infrastructure. 

In September, Libya experienced the most devastating floods in the country’s history, which killed more than 6,000 people, with more than 10,000 still missing. Behind the flooding – the deadliest weather event of 2023 to date – was Mediterranean Storm Daniel, which brought torrential rains to Libya’s northeast. Torrential rains and subsequent floods led to the collapse of two dams in Derna, a port city of 125,000 inhabitants on the Mediterranean coast. According to the Libyan Government of National Unity (GNU), the country will need at least 300 million dinars (US$67 million) to rebuild their road and bridge network. 

The city of Derna, Libya, in the aftermath of the devastating floods unleashed by Mediterranean Storm Daniel, which claimed more than 6,000 lives. Photo: ليبيا الأحرار/Twitter.

Earlier this month, devastating floods from a cyclone that affected 60 cities in southern Brazil killed dozens of people and displacing more than 2,300 across the country. 

China has also been subjected to flooding several times this summer, with the most significant one being in the Southeastern region in September. They were caused by torrential rain brought about by Typhoon Haikui, which hit the region and caused losses of about 552.1 million yuan (US$ 75.6 million). Xiamen, located in the Fujian province, has been flooding for a total of three days, setting a new record for the longest heavy rain to ever hit the city. 

Another devastating flooding event destroyed homes and businesses in China’s northeastern Hebei province in August, with the storm making history as the heaviest rainfall the area has experienced in at least 140 years. The extreme flooding was once again caused by a typhoon, Doksuri, which swept through the northern province of Hebei, displacing more than a million people. Typhoon Doksuri did not stop in China and instead reached the Philippines, bringing devastating floods across than five regions and dozens of landslides due to heavy rainfalls.

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Wildfires 

Devastating wildfires swept across the globe this summer, costing millions of dollars on countries’ economies and causing air pollution to skyrocket not only in the affected areas but also in neighbouring countries. 

This summer’s wildfires in Greece are confirmed to be Europe’s largest single fire in history. The fire had completely burnt 77,000 hectares (190,271 acres) of land in a region close to the Turkish border. The devastating fires were said to be charged by strong winds and high temperatures that soared above 40C, altogether causing a prolonged lack of precipitation and drought in the area. Earlier this summer, authorities on the Greek island of Rhodes, a famous tourist destination, evacuated more than 19,000 people after dozens of ferocious wildfires spreading uncontrollably across the island. The fires started during the hottest weekend the country has recorded in 50 years.

Another deadly fire broke out on the Hawaiian island of Maui in mid August. The historic city of Lahaina was burnt to the ground, killing 97 people and prompting US President Joe Biden to issue a major disaster declaration. The Maui wildfires burned an estimated 878 hectares (2,170 acres) of land and damaged more than 2,200 buildings. The Federal Emergency Management Agency estimates it will cost US$5.5 billion to rebuild the city. Similarly to Greece’s wildfires, the devastation of Hawaii’s fires was partly blamed on abnormally high temperatures, low humidity, and strong winds from a close hurricane. 

Burned vehicles, homes, and trees in the community of Lahaina following a devastating wildfire. Photo: State Farm/Flickr.

Countries in the Mediterranean and Black Sea region have also fallen victim to extreme wildfires. Parts of Sicily, an island located in Southern Italy, have been burnt by blazes caused by soaring temperatures. Authorities estimate that the wildfires have caused more than 280 million euros (US$2.3 million) worth of damage. 

However, fires in Canada went down in history as the most severe of all, even affecting areas surrounding the region. Smoke from wildfires reached as far as the East Coast of the US, significantly worsening air quality in the area and prompting authorities to issue air pollution warnings that affected more than 98 million people across the Northeast, Midwest and mid-Atlantic. On June 16, New York City was the world’s most polluted city, with 43.4 times the PM2.5 concentration value recommended by the World Health Organisation (WHO).

According to the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO), extreme temperatures are also an underlying cause of pollution-related health problems, highlighting a “vicious cycle” of climate breakdown and air pollution. Climate change causes heatwaves and extreme temperatures that result in droughts and low precipitation, leading to wildfires in return. Wildfires and the strong currents sweep particles through the air, worsening air pollution. And so, the cycle repeats itself. 

The Role of Climate Change in the Extreme Weather Events of Summer 2023

There is no doubt among the scientific community that climate change was the driving force behind the numerous deadly climate events this year. 

For a starter, climate change is one of the primary causes behind sweltering heatwaves. According to a study by non-profit Climate Central, climate change made southern US heatwaves five times more likely to happen. 

“Human-caused climate made the extreme and extremely unusual temperatures in Mexico and the southern US much more likely,” said Dr. Andrew Pershing, vice president for science at Climate Central. 

Extreme temperatures also result in prolonged droughts and devastating wildfires. For example, the fires that ripped through Hawaii this summer were blamed on unusually hot and dry conditions, which have dried vast areas of land. Dry leaves, grass, branches, and other organic materials are the best fuels for fires to ignite and propagate quickly.

More on the topic: What Causes Wildfires?

“We can say there are conditions that are consistent with wildfire, wildfire size and expansion that are changing as climate changes,” Erica Fleishman, director of the Oregon Climate Change Research Institute at Oregon State University, told CNN. “And some of the things that we’re seeing with this wildfire in Maui are consistent with some of the trends that are known and projected as climate changes.”

Scientists also found that climate change is a contributing factor to the deadly, three-year long Horn of Africa drought, which has resulted in a catastrophic humanitarian crisis in Eastern countries, including Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia. A report by the World Weather Attribution said the deadly combination of heatwaves and low rainfall were caused by human-induced global warming, due to the strong increase in evaporation caused by high temperatures. 

Deadly amounts of rainfalls are also a direct consequence of climate change. A study published in September 2023 found that climate change had made Libya’s flood disaster 50 times more likely and Greece’s fires up to 10 times more likely and 40% more intense. Once again, the World Weather Attribution group evaluated the role of climate change in extreme weather events, and found that the impact of the floods were made worse by factors such as deforestation and urbanisation in the countries, which led to a change in landscape and exposed more people to flooding. 

“The Mediterranean is a hotspot of climate change fuelled hazards,” said Friederike Otto, a climate scientist at Imperial College London. 

Conclusion 

The worsening of climate change is becoming more prevalent due to the frequency of extreme climate events this summer. From wildfires causing haze of smoke that induce pollution related health problems to hurricanes and floods that destroyed millions of homes and infrastructure around the world, climate change is without a doubt behind these summer’s extreme weather events. This is an unfortunate cycle that keeps on repeating itself, causing millions of people to experience devastation and loss over the summer. Authorities and governments around the world must reduce and phase-out emissions as soon as possible, in order to avoid more frequent and intense natural disasters in the coming years. 

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The post Another Year For the Record Books: A Recap of the Main Extreme Weather Events in Summer 2023 appeared first on Earth.Org.

In June 2023, young environmental activists were heard for the first time in a US climate trial. In August, the judge ruled in favour of the activists, who accused Montana officials of violating their constitutional right to a healthy environment. The Montana climate trial, many argue, paved the way for young climate activists to overturn policies that explicitly contribute to worsening the climate crisis.  

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The young plaintiffs – aged 5 to 22 – first filed a lawsuit against Montana state officials in 2020, marking the first US youth climate trial to ever take place. By doing so, the youth group hoped to show that activism can take place in court, too.  

What Does the Montana Climate Trial Tell Us About the Future of Child Activism? 

As pressing environmental issues continue to worsen and government officials remain complacent, it is up to the youth’s hands to utilise their tightly-knit communities and potential to speak up and advocate against polluting activities and industries responsible for the climate crisis. 

Recently, the United Nations finally recognised the importance of defending youth rights by passing a treaty to help young activists battle climate change in court and making sure that young people have their place in climate advocacy. 

The treaty, which calls environmental degradation a form of structural violence against children, is designed to “remove barriers for children to initiate proceedings themselves.” Judges in courts and authorities such as the UN are currently working alongside young environmentalists to ensure that their voices are heard, while being open-minded and supportive to initiatives that the youth might take in order to solve the issue of climate change.

With governmental authorities and organisations like the UN starting to recognise small underrepresented advocacy groups that have long been considered just an outcry from children, young people will likely be encouraged and more motivated to speak up and join the cause. The hope is also that governments and authorities from around the world will start support youth activism and listen to activists’ voices and calls.

Child Activism on the Rise 

Outside the courts, young activists have been taking climate matters into their own hands, advocating for change and urging governments and polluting companies to take concrete steps to tackle climate change. Children, teenagers, and young adults are now utilising their voices to speak up about climate issues, prompting authorities and government officials to increase their progress and attention on the worsening climate crisis.

One of the most prominent figures of child activism is Greta Thunberg. The 20-year-old activist became TIME’s person of the year in 2019. She first began her activism by frequently skipping classes in high school to participate in protests outside the Swedish Parliament in 2018. Aside from being a prominent individual figure of the fight against climate change, the young activist also recognises the importance of  tackling climate change in a communal manner and has since been able to persuade scientists and environmentalists around the world to join her movement.

Fridays For Future, an international school strike movement that aims to protest against the lack of action around climate change, began in 2018, when Thunberg and her fellow student activists decided to continue their strike until the Swedish policies became aligned with the Paris Agreement. It has since then escalated into a movement that involves 7,500 cities and 14 million people in the world. 

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What Kind of Environmental Issues Are Youth Activists Targeting?

Looking back at summer 2023 and the endless extreme climate events that battered endless countries around the world, it becomes clear that the role of climate advocates is more important than ever. 

Several heatwaves swept across the globe this summer, with the planet now on track to record its hottest year ever. July 2023 was the hottest ever recorded, with the global mean surface air temperature for the first 23 days standing at 16.95C (62.51) and about 80% of people worldwide being affected by the extreme temperatures.

Sea surface temperatures are also on the rise. In August 2023, the Mediterranean Sea surface temperature peaked at 28.7C (83.6F), the highest in at least four decades. The Mediterranean is home to more than 17,000 species. 

Experts estimate that the world is only about 250 billion tonnes of carbon emissions away from reaching the key limit temperature increase of 1.5C. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) said that carbon dioxide levels peaked in May this year. To combat the rapidly worsening situation, governments around the world have formed the Net Zero Coalition, which was introduced to cut greenhouse gas emissions to as close to zero as possible.

As of right now, studies found that about 90% of the assessed net-zero plans are unlikely to be achieved. India, Australia, Brazil, Indonesia, Iran, Israel, South Africa, and the United Arab Emirates – this year’s COP28 host, are among the countries most behind in terms of achieving their targets. 

The climate crisis is reaching a critical point, with escalating temperatures, extreme weather events, and biodiversity loss, making the role of climate activists more important than ever. The actions taken today will determine the severity of the impacts future generations will face. Youth activists bring a powerful force for change and play a crucial role in shaping a sustainable and just future.

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The post How the Landmark Montana Climate Trial Paved The Way For Young Climate Activists appeared first on Earth.Org.

The Panama Canal, one of the largest waterways in the world, is the main artery of global trade. Located on the border between North and South America and connecting the Atlantic Ocean with the Pacific, the canal helps shipping companies transport grains, food supplies, and consumer goods to other parts of the world. However, the canal is currently seeing its lowest water levels in history. The extreme drought in the region of the Panama Canal has serious social, economic, and political implications as it stifles exports of grains and other consumer goods. 

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According to data from the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, the Panama Canal is currently experiencing extreme drought and it is seeing its lowest water levels in history. This leads to repercussions on the transportation and shipping of consumer goods and food supplies across the world.

Experts blame the extreme drought on the El Niño weather pattern. El Niño is a climate phenomenon that causes the Pacific jet stream to move south and spread further east during the winter season, supplying South American regions with heavy rainfall. However, the summer season is also being prolonged. As a result, southern parts of the US, along with Panama and other neighbouring regions, are currently experiencing exceptional drought conditions. 

Temperature changes in the region have also caused the water of the Panama Canal to dry up. Temperatures here were slightly above the average in recent weeks, ranging between 85-90F (29-32C).

How Is the Panama Canal Important for World Trade? 

The ships travelling through the Panama Canal efficiently transports grains, food supplies and consumer goods to all parts of the world. Serving as a maritime shortcut, its effectiveness lies in its strategic geographic location, which allows ships to transit through the canal instead of navigating all the way to the southern tip of South America. 

This crucial artery has several main routes to ensure that consumer goods are being exported to all corners of the world. The US East Coast is connected to Asia as well as the West Coast of South and Central America. Europe and the West coast of Central America are also connected through the canal. The canal also shortens the maritime distance between the North American East and West coasts by 13,000 kilometres (8,078 miles). Its efficient geographical location makes it one of the most frequently used waterways in the world. 

The Panama Canal has the ability to save time and distance as it can reduce the sailing distance from the Atlantic to Pacific and vice versa by a vast 8,000 nautical miles. The route of the canal also reduces ship travel time from the Atlantic to the Pacific by about 5 months, its efficiency and time-saving nature make it a crucial resource for the shipping industry, with an estimated 6% of global trade passing through it. 

In the fiscal year 2022, the canal registered a total of 14,239 transits, transporting 291 million tons of goods, and paying tolls that totalled US$3,028 million. According to the International Trade Administration, in 2021, the last year for which data is available, revenue from canal tolls amounted to nearly US$3 billion.

Japan, China, and the US are the three largest users of the waterway, with the latter being the leading country out of the three. In the fiscal year 2021, the United States was the origin or destination of 72.5% of all ships crossing the canal. China came in second, with 22.1% of the traffic being ships from China. Japan followed closely with 14.7%.

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How is the Panama Canal Drought Affecting Global Trade? 

As of mid August, the Panama Canal Authority is restricting the number of vessels authorised to pass per day to a maximum of 32. In early September, the number of ships waiting to cross the Canal had risen to 127. These restrictions leave the shipping industry unable to experience the timesaving benefits of the renowned waterway. 

As holidays such as Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas are quickly approaching, late August is usually the peak season of online orders. Consumers around the world are rushing to online retailers, looking to order presents, decorations, costumes and other consumer goods in preparation for the festive season. The restrictions put in place in the canal, which are expected to be in place for at least ten months, inevitably put a strain on the amount of goods being exported. The supply shortage caused by shipping delays also leads to a rise in goods’ prices.

Antonio Dominguez, managing director of Maersk, a worldwide shipping company and the largest single user of the canal, worries that delays caused by the drought could result in an increase of consumer goods’ prices. 

Aside from evaluating impacts of the Panama drought from a consumer perspective, the cost of shipping – for shipping companies to even have access to the canal – is also expected to rise significantly. According to Intermodal Research Analyst Chara Georgousi, the drought-related disruptions at the canal have led to increased shipping costs, mainly affecting companies that frequently pass through it. The same concern is being expressed by Dominguez, who also worries about the high costs his company will likely face in the coming months.

The Panama Canal Authority recently the number of vessels authorised to pass each day. The restrictions are expected to stay in place for at least 10 months.

The Canal Isn’t the Only Waterbody Experiencing Severe Drought Conditions

This is not the first time that climate change has impacted global trade. European countries have faced similar challenges last year, with essential canals drying up, disturbing the global trade and affecting economies worldwide. 

This time last year, the River Rhine became impassable due to record high temperatures brought about by climate change, sparking concerns to European trade. Similar to the Panama Canal, the Rhine is also Europe’s most important waterway and Germany’s main economic artery as grain exports, coal, and other consumer goods rely on the functionality of the river for global trade. 

Similarly, Italy’s longest river, river Po, faced extreme drought in May of 2022, due to record-breaking high temperatures and long-lasting absence of precipitation in the region. This had severe consequences on Italy’s economy, as the region surrounding the river is also the main industrial and agricultural area of the country, and is home to nearly one-third of Italy’s total population. 

Conclusion

The Panama Canal drought proves that climate change has the ability to impact all aspects of life – not only placing severe impacts on biodiversity and human health but also hindering the global economy. With restrictions expected to last until 2024, authorities have now begun to evaluate the efficiency of water regulations in the canal. 

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The post What the Panama Canal Drought Tells Us About the Fragility of Global Trade appeared first on Earth.Org.

Reports show that more than 80% of people were affected by the record-breaking temperatures that led to July being the hottest month ever recorded. The severe consequences of last month’s heatwaves also pose threats to marine animals and plants. Heatwaves are linked to melting ice glaciers and the expansion of the ocean waters’ volume. As sea levels rise, low-lying coastal areas are left exposed to the risk of flooding and sudden displacement. In this article, we explore the consequences of rising sea surface temperatures on wildlife and coastal communities.

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In July 2023, the average daily ocean surface temperature worldwide reached 20.96C, breaking the previous record of 20.95C reached in 2016. 

This year’s unprecedented heatwaves as well as the climate phenomenon of El Niño are two of the main reasons behind the increase in ocean temperatures. Described as a climate phenomenon that warms ocean surface waters in the Eastern Pacific Ocean, El Niño is a weather phenomenon associated with the warming of sea surface temperatures in the central-east equatorial Pacific. This summer’s record-breaking temperatures led to excessive amounts of hot air being trapped in the atmosphere. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) reports that 90% of that hot air is now being absorbed by the ocean, one of the largest carbon sinks in the atmosphere. 

Consequences of Rising Sea Surface Temperatures on Marine Biodiversity 

Rising sea surface temperatures caused by the recent surge of heatwaves pose huge threats to marine biodiversity. 

According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the recent surge in heatwaves resulted in a rise in ocean temperatures, which comes with consequences such as ocean acidification and a lack of oxygen levels in seawater. Marine mammals suffer from the loss of breeding ground and reproductive failure, resulting in several species being extinct. Acidification and lower pH also lead to shell dissolutions.

According to the US Endangered Species Act (ESA), approximately 2,270 species are currently listed as endangered or threatened globally. Among them are the vaquita, the North Atlantic right whale, and the Yangtze Finless Porpoise. 

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According to a 2020 study pubilshed in Nature, warming seawater can cause shifts in spatial distribution of the marine animal’s original habitat, where species move to different habitats due to a change in temperature. This is one of the most common responses of marine mammals to rapidly warming and acidifying ocean waters. An example is the Bryde’s whales shifts to cool waters, despite it being a subtropical species. By moving to new environments that are native to another species, habitats end up being overcrowded. Moreover, alterations in habitats inevitably increase the number of range shifts of a species. More pathogens are developed and propagated when species shift to different habitats, threatening the immunity of marine animals and increasing stress in organisms.  

The increase in ocean temperatures can also hinder the reproductive success of marine mammals. For example, female sperm whales have lower conception rates after being exposed to high sea temperatures for extended periods of time. 

Apart from mammals, oysters and other biogenic and carbonate reefs are also at risk due to increasing acidification of ocean waters. Ocean acidification is expected to increase dissolution rates of oyster shells, which are essential in maintaining the structure of oyster reefs. 

The rising temperatures of seawater also affect coral reefs. Lower pH values in seawater, a direct consequence of high levels of carbon dioxide absorption, leads to coral bleaching as the lack of oxygen destroys their calcium carbonate structure.

Bleaching occurs when a coral slowly becomes transparent due to prolonged exposure to high seawater temperatures. While not fatal, bleaching puts coral in a vulnerable position, as they are more at risk of diseases due to their deformed calcium carbonate structure. The coral’s immune system weakens and can no longer fight potential diseases.

Coral reefs in the Pacific Ocean, Hawaii, and the Caribbean as well as Australia’s Great Barrier Reef are among those most threatened by global warming. The latter experienced a loss of about half of its corals during the massive bleaching events occurring between 2016 and 2017. Indonesia’s coral reefs are also deteriorating due to overfishing and plastic pollution. The mortality rate remains grim, as scientists warn that only 15% of coral reefs in the region have a chance of surviving or growing by 2050 due to worsening pH levels.

Consequences of Rising Sea Surface Temperatures on Coastal Communities 

Aside from affecting marine biodiversity, rising ocean temperatures represent a threat to coastal settlements. As ocean temperatures rise, so will sea levels due to a phenomenon known as thermal expansion. As seawater temperature rises, the volume of the ocean expands; with the rapidly deteriorating climate crisis, the volume of the ocean is only destined to increase in the coming years. 

The melting of glaciers and ice sheets is another cause of rising sea levels. Between 1994 and 2017, nearly 30 trillion tons of ices from glaciers melted worldwide. The Antarctic ice sheet is the largest ice sheet in the world. If it melts completely, it will add more than a metre of sea level rise by 2100 and more than 15 metres by 2500, scientists predicted.

The rise in sea levels poses threats on low-lying coastal cities all across the globe. In Southeast Asia, countries such as Bangladesh and cities like Bangkok are facing threats of flooding and risk being submerged entirely.

The average elevation of Bangladesh is nine metres above sea level and most of its urban population is situated in low-lying coastal areas. The Brahmaputra River and Padma River may cause significant flooding if the melting of ice sheets intensifies. Moreover, glaciers serve as an important source of water for Bangladesh’s agriculture industry and its population, so their disappearance would also lead to severe water insecurity in the nation.

Bangkok, Thailand’s capital, is another low-lying city positioned only 1.5 metres above sea level, and has already faced the effects of the increased sea levels. In 2011, for example, deadly floods submerged approximately one-fifth of the city. 

Apart from Southeast Asia, other cities and regions on the globe are facing threats from the rising sea levels. Amsterdam, the capital of the Netherlands, is also threatened by rising seas, as 26% of the country is located below sea level and the majority of its urban areas are built around large water bodies.The city of New Orleans in the United States is another low lying coastal city that faces flooding threats. Hurricane Katrina in 2005 was a grim reminder of the terrible consequences that the city faces if sea levels continue to rise, as the hurricane had already caused the city to be 80% flooded and submerged. 

Conclusion

The consequences of ocean warming are far-reaching and demand our attention. As we have explored throughout this article, the warming of our oceans poses significant threats to marine ecosystems, biodiversity, coastal communities, and the overall health of our planet. From coral bleaching and habitat loss to altered migration patterns and disrupted food chains, the impacts of ocean warming are already being felt.

However, it is not too late to take action. We must prioritise efforts to mitigate climate change, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and transition to cleaner and more sustainable energy sources. Additionally, we need to implement strategies to protect and restore vulnerable marine ecosystems, such as coral reefs and coastal habitats. Individual actions also play a crucial role. By making conscious choices in our daily lives, such as reducing our carbon footprint, conserving water, and supporting sustainable fishing practices, we can collectively contribute to the preservation of our oceans.

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The post The Consequences of Rising Sea Surface Temperatures on Wildlife and Coastal Communities appeared first on Earth.Org.

Last month, the Hong Kong Housing Society (HKHS) launched the Community ESG Programme, encouraging citizens to play their part in Hong Kong’s decarbonisation efforts by adopting sustainable practices, from cutting their plastic consumption and saving electricity to opting for cleaner modes of transportation to get around. Their progress and efforts will be monitored through the new mobile app Zero2.

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In July 2023, the Hong Kong Housing Society (HKHS) launched the Community ESG Programme along with the mobile app Zero2 as part of a series of activities under the theme of “Creating Homes for Sustainable Living.” Hong Kong’s residents can now participate in decarbonisation efforts by completing missions on the app, which allows them to access exclusive rewards and discounts at selected eateries and shops.

The new Community ESG Programme, which saw over 10,000 Hong Kong residents registering online in the months leading up to its release, takes place from 1 July to 31 December 2023 and involves more than 20 housing units located across the city. About 100 guests – including members of the HKHS and the Council for Carbon Neutrality and Sustainable Development – attended last month’s launching ceremony of the Community ESG Programme and new app at Prosperous Garden in Yau Ma Tei.

Walter Chan, the Chairman of HKHS, said the main goal was “to bring together the community and encourage the residents and staff of HKHS to develop green and healthy living habits.” 

Hong Kong is striving to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. Using its 2005 carbon emissions level as a base, the city also aims to reduce its carbon emissions by 50% before 2035. 

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An App to Incentivise Sustainable Practices Among Hong Kong Residents 

Citizens will be able to participate in the programme through the new Zero2 mobile app. 

Users will be asked to join a community by entering their estate name. Each estate will be assigned specific tasks that its residents will have to complete before being allowed to move to the next level. By joining the community function on the app, users can also collaborate with their neighbours to complete different missions. Most assignments can be completed within two weeks, though tasks such as reducing gas and electricity bills might take a month or more.

By completing missions and playing educational games on the mobile app, users collect coins that can be used to redeem various rewards, including discounts and gifts from several partner merchants as well as points that can be used to level up the user’s account and unlock new missions. 

Image: Zero2 app/screenshot.

Missions are divided into categories, including Recycling, Green Dining, Upload Utility Bills, and Walking. There are also games that educate on carbon reduction.

Tasks in the Recycling category include recycling items such as used clothing, plastic and glass bottles, as well as aluminium cans. Residents are invited to dispose of their items in recycling booths, which are made available at the rental estates, scan the mission’s QR code, and place their items on the scale for weighing. 

According to Zero2’s Carbon Savings Calculation Methodology, the amount of each recycled material earns different amounts of coins. The table also shows the total carbon emissions that have been saved by recycling each material. The app will keep track of the total amount recycled by each user.

As for the Green Dining category, users can earn points every time they bring their own reusable bag to grocery stores and retail shops and their own cups and cutlery when ordering takeaway food.

For other missions such as reducing utility bills, the Zero2 app will compare the user’s energy consumption with the benchmark against the targets of Hong Kong’s 2050 Climate Action Plan. Users are required to upload their bills onto the app or submit a hard copy before the deadline in order to complete the mission. After verification, they will be rewarded with coins. 

Image: Zero2 app/screenshot.

Hong Kong’s Strategies to Reach Carbon Neutrality 

Hong Kong’s greenhouse gas emissions in 2021 amounted to 34.7 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalents, after remaining stable at around 42 million tonnes between 2015 and 2019 and dropping to 31.5 million tonnes in 2020 as the Covid-19 pandemic broke out. Electricity generation accounted for the largest part of emissions – nearly 63%, followed by transportation (18.7%) and waste management (8.4%). 

In January 2023, the Environment and Ecology Bureau of Hong Kong (EEB) set up the Office of Climate Change and Carbon Neutrality in an attempt to make vigorous efforts to speed up carbon reduction. However, it is too early to assess its efficacy. In terms of finance, the government also put an additional funding of HK$200 million (US$25 million) into the Green Tech Fund, doubling the original provision.

The HKHS has worked with the Environmental Protection Department to develop the programme in a bid to increase the participation of Hongkongers in decarbonisation efforts as well as promote sustainable development in the city. The Chairman of the Council for Carbon Neutrality and Sustainable Development, Dr Lam Ching-Choi, said that the citizen’s proactive participation is essential for Hong Kong to achieve its decarbonisation goal. 

The HKHS adopted several energy-efficient design strategies to reduce the cooling and lighting demand in its residential buildings and has also worked to reduce Hong Kong’s greenhouse gas emissions from transportation by providing charging stations in its carparks to promote the use of electric vehicles.

A Good First Step, But Is It Enough?

Overall, the HKHS’ new ESG Programme is a good initiative to increase Hongkongers’ participation in carbon reduction efforts and raise awareness about sustainable living practices among the population. Indeed, while the government plays a crucial role in lowering the city’s carbon emissions through its efforts in promoting renewable energy sources, residents should also play their part. By getting educated about environmental issues and the potential environmental impact of their daily actions, they have the potential to push large authority figures and policymakers to take action. 

Nevertheless, the new initiative comes with their fair share of limitations, mostly because they target just a small fraction of the population. As of right now, the HKHS’ programme involved just 20 housing units for a total of about 30,000 HKHS flats across the city. This accounts for a very small percentage of Hong Kong’s population of 7.3 million. In order to make the programme more, the HKHS should consider expanding it to more residential areas. 

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An increasing number of people around the world are adopting sustainable diets as an act to fight climate change. As a result, the popularity of plant-based milks has skyrocketed in the past decade. However, there has been a growing debate with regard to the retail price of these plant-based milk products. Is the upcharge of vegan milk justified by its high production cost and smaller market size compared to traditional milk? Or would it be better to reduce the price of plant-based milk in order to make this sustainable alternative more accessible to the public?

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How Popular Are Vegan Diets Worldwide?

In recent years, a sustainable plant-based diet has taken over the internet. Google searches for the term “veganism” have increased by 580% over the last five years alone. In 2021, the global vegan market size reached nearly US$16 billion and it is expected to reach $22 billion by 2025.

As participation in the vegan diet continues to rise, consuming plant-based milk becomes an easy and common method for vegans, vegetarians, and other climate-conscious people to take action against climate change. According to the Vegconomist’s Global Plant-based Milk Market Report 2023, the global market size of plant-based milks reached US$35 billion in 2021 and has skyrocketed to a staggering $123.1 billion in 2023.

Why Are Plant Based Milks Rising To The Top, And Why Do They Have Such A High Retail Price?

The interest around vegan milks is rising for numerous reasons. According to a 2021 survey by Euromonitor, 40% of consumers switched to non-dairy milk to improve their digestive system’s health. The survey also found that 40% of people turned to plant-based alternatives for the general reason of feeling healthier, while 27% of consumers felt that they were making an environmentally ethical choice by switching to plant-based alternatives. 

Despite its immense popularity, the price of plant-based milk remains a highly-debated issue amongst consumers. According to a Mintec study comparing the retail price of dairy and plant-based milks, the retail prices for the latter are around twice that of conventional milk. The study also shows that the different characteristics of dairy and plant-based drinks industries have caused the price gap between dairy milk and vegan alternatives to widen. But what exactly is behind this significant price difference?

First of all, the age of the industry and market size of each respective milk type affects its retail prices. According to the same study, the market size for dairy milks was $600 billion, and its industry had been existing for over 100 years. In contrast, the market size for plant-based milks is relatively small, and only accounted for 4-6% of the milk market globally at the time of the study. 

Supplier landscape and ownership also play a role in determining the retail price of both types of milk. For dairy products, the supplier landscape varies significantly by country. For example, larger developed countries have dairy companies that are large global players, meaning that the company is recognised worldwide. These global players have a revenue of $10-20 billion/year.

On the other hand, the supplier landscape of non-dairy milk is limited, with only a few global players. Moreover, the industry of the latter type of milk consists mainly of a growing number of small start-up companies, with sales ranging between $5-50 million. 

Supplier ownerships of each respective milk type also influences its retail price. Dairy milk businesses are often co-operative across many sectors, while plant-based milks are often privately owned. 

The number of manpower that is available for producing the respective type of milk also determines the retail price. Dairy milk production has a large supply of manpower. With its heavy reliance on on-farm production and central bottling in factories, the price becomes affordable. 

On the other hand, it is more difficult for vegan milk companies to recruit large amounts of manpower, as small start-ups often cannot afford to produce milk by themselves  and instead have to rely on contract manufacturers. Relying on third party suppliers, however, inevitably raises the costs of the final product. 

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Pros of Reducing the Price of Plant-Based Milk

One side of the debate advocates for reducing the cost of plant-based milks. The high retail price of these products is one of the biggest issues when it comes to attracting new consumers to a vegan diet – especially people belonging to lower-middle classes whose first priority is often the product’s affordability. 

This opinion is supported by a Fauntalytics analysis on bringing back former vegans and vegetarians. The survey found that several ex-vegans’ decision to quit their plant-based diet was influenced by the high price of vegan products. In another survey conducted by Green Queen, an impact media platform advocating for social & environmental change based in Hong Kong, 58% of the surveyed people agreed that being vegan was expensive. 

Removing the upcharge for non-dairy milks – many argue – could be a solution to remove the expensive reputation of veganism and thus encourage newcomers to a vegan lifestyle. 

Hubster, an Australian delivery management and optimisation platform, suggests that removing the upcharge for plant-based milks could be beneficial to building a cafe’s customer base. Dropping the upcharge would give a friendlier and more authentic impression to customers, thereby establishing a loyal customer base and increasing the company’s profits. 

However, Hubster suggests that the profit margin of the company should be prioritised above everything else – especially with newly established companies that are struggling to establish a stable flow of income with its small and underdeveloped customer base. Hubster suggests that these companies keep the upcharge of plant based milks, while ensuring that the price they set is reasonable. With this strategy, the company is still able to reach a profit margin and at the same time establish a loyal customer base.  The website also suggests that companies set a realistic average weekly sales figure, taking into account whether the pricing of vegan milk alternatives can cover the costs of vegan milk alternatives in the first place.

Cons Of Reducing the Price of Plant-Based Milk

Even though plant-based milks are generally marketed as eco-friendly and sustainable, some types are associated with unethical practices. Unfortunately, increasing popularity of plant-based milks could inherently result in more unethical practices as companies increase production.

One of the most commonly consumed plant-based milks is almond milk. However, according to the BeeKeepClub, a resource guide for beekeepers, the high demand for almond milk raises ethical concerns about the livelihood of bees. Beekeeper’s main concern related to almond production is the effect of pesticides on bees. Almond fields rely heavily on honeybees for pollination, but the constant exposure to pesticides represents a huge threat to these animals.

This theory is supported by a series of studies conducted by Ohio State University in early 2019, which found that the death of bees is highly linked to pesticides used during pollination processes. 

Another example of how plant-based milks could be considered unethical towards the environment is Oatly, a hugely popular vegan milk brand, and its ties with the Blackstone Group, a company infamous for having ties with deforestation. Oatly’s relationship with the Blackstone Group has inevitably tainted its image of being a transparent and eco-friendly company. 

In 2020, Blackstone Group bought a 10% stake for $200 million for its investment in Oatly, and it has caused controversy within the vegan and vegetarian community, as Blackstone is known to have ties with deforestation in the Amazon rainforest. 

According to an article published on The Intercept, the Hidrovias do Brasil, a company mostly owned by Blackstone, owns and regulates the Amazon terminal. The terminal is responsible for allowing farmers to access the Amazon to load soybeans on barges and other grains to be exported to the world. 

These unethical practices are affecting the popularity of these sustainable milk alternatives, hindering attempts to grow consumers of such products.

The Final Verdict: Do We Reduce The Price Of Plant-Based Milks? 

A reduction of the retail price of plant-based milks comes with several benefits and drawbacks. Reducing the retail price of non-dairy milks shows that embarking on a vegan diet can be affordable, therefore attracting more newcomers to participate in a vegan diet. 

At the same time, however, reducing the retail price of these milk alternatives could result in higher demand, something that might push companies to adopt unethical practices to maximise production and profit. 

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Speaking at this week’s UN Food System Summit Stocktaking Session, UN chief António Guterres condemned Russia’s decision to withdraw from the Black Sea export deal with Ukraine.

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Speaking on the first day of the UN Food System Summit Stocktaking Session (UNFSS+2) in Rome on Monday, UN chief António Guterres urged Russia to renew the landmark Black Sea Deal, just days after the country announced it would withdraw from the pact.

The Black Sea esport deal – a landmark deal between Russia and Ukraine that allowed grains and basic food supplies from Ukraine to be exported to countries in Africa, the Middle East, and Asia – was brokered by the UN and Turkey in July 2022 in an effort to ease global food insecurity.

Last week, Russia announced that it would step back from the grain export deal with Ukraine. The decision could have devastating impacts on food security in malnourished developing countries and Ukraine’s capacity to export basic food supplies to global markets, experts have warned. 

In a tweet published after Russia’s announcement, Guterres had already condemned Russia’s withdrawal from the deal, saying the Black Sea export deal was “a lifeline for global food security in a troubled world.” 

I deeply regret Russia’s decision to terminate the implementation of the Black Sea Initiative, which has been a lifeline for global food security in a troubled world.

Hundreds of millions facing hunger & consumers confronting a global cost-of-living crisis will pay the price.

— António Guterres (@antonioguterres) July 17, 2023

Stakeholders from financial sectors, environmental activists, governments and youth groups gathered for three days at the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) headquarters in Rome to review progress made since the first edition of the Food System Summit, which was held in 2021. The summit consisted of scheduled plenary sessions, leadership dialogue, and special events and served as an “enhanced international cooperation and solidarity that leaves no one behind.”

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During the UNFSS+2, the UN focused on ensuring that the UN’s efforts to transform food systems are now inclusive of vulnerable groups. 

Leadership dialogues such as Food Systems for the People and Food Systems for Prosperity ensured that nutritional diets were made inclusive to marginalised groups. According to the UN’s official website, policy and decision makers adopted a “rights-based approach”, which was to emphasise the importance of human rights in policy making. 

The summit also intends to keep the 1.5C goal of the Paris Agreement alive, reducing CO2 emissions through cooperation with local food producers and new agricultural methods. Agriculture is one of the biggest polluting sectors. Agricultural production is estimated to account for 40% of global food system emissions due to land conversion and methane emissions from livestock

According to the Council of the European Union, the Russia-Ukraine war led to an unprecedented surge in food prices in 2022 and 2023. Both countries are among the biggest exporters of wheat, maize, sunflower seed and oil in the world. This is significant, as many nations around the world – especially lower- and  middle-income countries – rely heavily on food exports from Russia and Ukraine. 

Data by the World Bank shows that domestic food price inflation remains high around the world, higher than 5% in 61.1% of low income countries, 81.4% of lower-middle income countries, and 77% of the upper-middle income. 

The Russia-Ukraine conflict also sparked a global wheat crisis. According to Statista, the UN is expected to produce 21 million tonnes of wheat during its harvests in 2022 and 2023, a decrease from last year’s 33 million metric tonnes.

Hunger and malnutrition are rising severely around the world. The most recent Joint Child Malnutrition Estimates for 2022 indicates that 148.1 million children under five were stunted in 2022, the equivalent of one in five children in the world. According to the World Food Programme (WFP),more than 345 million people face high levels of food insecurity in 2023. In Burkina Faso, Mali, Somalia and South Sudan, at least 129,000 people are expected to experience famine.

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The United Nations Food System Summit is an international conference held every two years that brings together scientists, businessmen, and politicians to negotiate the implementation of sustainable food systems. The summit raises awareness about issues such as food security, including farmers, indigenous groups, environmentalists, and other key stakeholders in discussions and debates. As this year’s summit approaches, we try to answer the question as to whether the UN has succeeded in achieving the objectives set two years ago, and what we can expect from the upcoming meeting.

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Key Achievements at the 2021 United Nations Food System Summit

The United Nations Food System Summit (UNFSS) was first held in September 2021 in New York. The summit prompted world leaders and stakeholders from important sectors, including agriculture, policymaking, business, and food aid to work together to develop sustainable food systems and promote food security for vulnerable people. With youth empowerment being the top priority at the summit, youth champions were also involved in the debate and process of creating five action tracks, goals the UN aim to achieve before the next conference kicks in.

An occurring discussion was the outbreak of Covid19 in early 2020 and how it slowed down the UN’s progress in achieving all 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), in 2020, between 720 and 811 million people faced hunger. While the number plateaued between 2014 and 2019, undernourishment spiked again in 2020, climbing to around 9.9%. In the same year, nearly one in three people did not have access to adequate food.

Here’s a summary of the five action tracks set at the 2021 summit:

1. Ensure access to safe and nutritious food for all. 
2. Shift to sustainable consumption patterns.
3. Boost nature positive production. 
4. Advance equitable livelihoods. 
5. Build resilience to vulnerabilities, shocks and stress.

According to the Report of the Secretary-General, the needs to improve sustainability are recognised worldwide, with 122 countries adopting national pathways and 155 appointed food systems national convenors. 101 countries have voluntarily submitted progress reports. 

Transformational changes were made according to the action areas established. According to the Report of the Secretary-General, in order to guarantee all people on the planet to have adequate access to food, high-income countries focus on promoting healthy diets, while low-income countries focus on providing accessible food to reduce hunger and malnutrition. To boost nature-positive production, countries directed their attention to crop production and diversification by introducing the concept of Blue Food, which refers to the method of harvesting food from aquaculture, in which according to the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), they are the fastest growing food production sector in the world in comparison to agriculture. To build resilience to vulnerabilities, governments also diversified their sources of food supply in order to work on building a resilient food system. 

Ensuring inclusivity, 23 high-income and upper middle-income countries, 35 lower-middle-income, and 19 low-income countries have been consistently submitting reports back to the UN. They provide consistent updates on these nations’ transformational journeys, including a collective understanding of further developments to be made.

The UN Food Systems Coordination Hub, established as an immediate response to the UNFSS, has also achieved support and recognition as a tool to consistently stimulate discussion and awareness around food security. With the dialogue occurring on a monthly basis, national convenors recruited by governments bring together stakeholders in food systems for extensive dialogue on food security. According to the UN official website, more than half of the UN’s member states have pledged to host dialogue events to begin conversations about improving food systems. 

The UNFSS Coalition of Action also supported the follow up of the UNFSS, providing technical assistance for the implementations of national pathways, such as technical analyses, investment plans and bankable business cases, in order to mobilise resources for implementation.

Governance plays an important role in sustaining efforts to solve food security, by involving ministries and convenors from different sectors and departments. The majority of the national convenors are working from the agricultural sector and a small proportion of others from the ministry of foreign affairs, planning, environment, health, economy and social affairs. 

Aside from gaining support and participation in a global context, there are also relevant achievements for involving forestry when achieving sustainable food systems. This specifically targets the second action track, which is related to boosting nature-based solutions of production. 

According to FAO, in October 2022, at least 27 countries included forest-related actions in their national pathways, ensuring that food systems do not interfere with deforestation. Moreover, at least 18 countries proposed to develop agroforestry under the agroecology theme, which is a tool for restoring biodiversity and degraded lands. The coalition on agroecology is strong, with more than 80 submissions referring to it as a promising solution, and 26 countries joining the coalition itself. 

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What’s Not Been Achieved Since the 2021 Summit? 

Even though the UN has made several efforts to increase dialogue on food security issues, while also gaining support from most countries to consistently update on their plans for transforming sustainable food systems, a few issues surrounding the inclusivity in the UN’s leadership have yet to be resolved. 

According to the aforementioned Report of the Secretary-General, the UN has recognised this limitation, stating that providing sufficient space for women, youth, and indigenous people to participate in creating solutions remains a significant problem, acknowledging that engagement on solving food insecurity should be more inclusive of minority groups.  

Another common critique is that the UN’s commitments for multistakeholderism were not promising enough multilateral rights. An article released by The International Journal for Rural Development, the Civil Society and Indigenous People’s Mechanism (CSM) criticises the “astounding extent” of corporate influence in the leadership of the UNFSS. 

According to the 2021 report “Exposing Corporate Capture of the UNFSS Through Multistakeholderism”, the UNFSS has received criticism from over 550 civil society organisations for its big financial influence. The World Economic Forum, agrochemical & large agricultural corporations all have an extensive influence over leadership, while the most impacted groups from food insecurity – racial minorities, lower-income groups, and indigenous people – are typically excluded or under-recognised when it comes to decision making. It seems as though civil society is beginning to view UNFSS’s multistakeholderism as a corporate-driven agenda.

Michael Fakhri, the Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food, has advised the UN Committee on World Food Security (CFS) to devote further attention to “addressing the devastating impacts of the pandemic on food security and nutrition”. He feels that the UNFSS failed to recognise the impact of the Covid19 pandemic and how it worsened poverty and amplified food insecurity.

Overall, the UN needs to keep improving on the involvement of a diverse team of leadership for discussing and tackling food insecurity, and discussions should have further emphasis on the Covid19 pandemic, and how to relieve the consequences it has put on the international food system.

What Can We Expect From the 2023 UN Food System Summit?

The theme of this year’s UNFSS – which will be held on July 24-26 in Rome, Italy – is “Sustainable Food Systems For People, Planet And Prosperity: Diverse Pathways In A Shared Journey”. Along with the Italian Government, Rome-based UN agencies, including the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), and the World Food Programme (WFP), will also preside.

While the last summit focused around food security issues and coming up with potential solutions, next week’s summit will focus on putting the ideas and goals they have set in the past summit into practice, aiming to eliminate delays in the implementation of new policies or programmes as well as accelerate the transformation of the food system itself.

Moreover, the UN will be focusing on how they promote the role of sustainable, equitable, healthy and resilient food systems. The UN recognises its role as a catalyst for food system transformation, being an international hub of decision making with the power to implement groundbreaking policies. 

While putting further emphasis on executing these ideas, the UN will also share cases of transformation action led by state and non-state actors. Specifically, the organisation will host leadership dialogues that will address the subjects discussed in the plenary sessions, and also special events to push a global learning agenda that is practical and solution-based. 

Final Thoughts 

The UN has made substantial progress in maintaining consistent dialogue and global awareness on food security issues as well as garnering support from private sectors and key stakeholders. However, civil society groups rightly hope that the UN will pay further attention to increasing the diversity of their leadership to include groups that were arguably more affected by issues of food security. 

Often, the first step to tackle a long-standing issue is by discussing and addressing the nuances of it. During the last summit, the UN has done sufficient discussion already, uniting different sectors. They have yet to take the next step in the future, which is to coordinate different sectors to take action and push to more practical and solution-oriented approaches. 

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Dangerous heat levels are affecting Italy, with 16 cities currently on red heat alert. The Islands of Sicily and Sardinia could face maximum temperatures of 49C this week, breaking the country’s 2021 record. The heatwave in Italy and several other European countries is expected to continue this week.

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Italy is in the midst of a record-breaking heatwave which is expected to bring temperatures over 40C in several parts of the country this week. 16 cities including Rome, Florence, and Bologna are currently on red heat alert.

According to the country’s Ministry of Health, exceptionally high temperatures are expected on Monday across central and southern Italy, including Messina in Sicily, Catania in Sardinia, as well as the capital Rome and other central cities such as Firenze, Pescara, and Perugia. 

Due to the expected heatwave that will last through next week, the Italian health ministry has issued a red alert for 16 cities, including Rome, Bologna, and Florence. According to Italian media, Sardinia will experience a temperature of 48°C (118.4°F). This is not “normal”. pic.twitter.com/y2jiAoqgBQ

— Peter Dynes (@PGDynes) July 15, 2023

Authorities prompted citizens – especially vulnerable groups including children and the elderly – and tourists to take extra precautions amid the exceptional heat, such as staying indoors and avoiding direct sunlight. 

Italy’s highest-ever temperature (48.8C) recorded in August 2021 in the town of Floridia, located in the Sicilian province of Syracuse, is expected to be surpassed as the heatwave intensifies this week, according to the European Space Agency (ESA).

Peter Dynes, Chief Strategic Officer at MEER, an international network of engineers, scientists, project managers and volunteers for climate change, explained that the upcoming record-breaking heatwave is a “precursor to long term trends”, pointing out that Spain, Italy and Greece face widespread desertification once the global temperatures exceed 2C. 

Scientists have already warned that the globe is on track to surpass 2C of global warming and this summer’s unprecedented heatwaves are quickly bringing us dangerously closer to that threshold, beyond which large and often irreversible changes in the climate system will happen.

Dynes blames this summer’s events on the imminent El Niño, a weather pattern associated with the unusual warming of surface waters in the eastern Pacific Ocean that impacts the speed and strength of ocean currents, affecting the health of coastal fishers and local weather. Earlier this month, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) declared the onset of El Niño conditions, which scientists believe will push global temperature “off the charts” later this year and in early 2024. The weather phenomenon is expected to continue into the winter, and, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), there is a 56% chance of it becoming a strong event at its peak.

According to experts, Italy’s deadly heatwave is the result of a combination of the anticyclone Cerberus, set to happen for two weeks across Southern Europe, and El Niño. Considering that Italy is surrounded by a large body of water that is experiencing immense El Niño effects, it comes as no surprise that the country has become one of the hottest in Europe this year. 

However, it is not the first time a deadly heatwave has hit Europe during the summer. According to a report published in Nature last week, last year’s summer heatwave led to 62,862 deaths in Europe, with more than 18,000 occurring in Italy. The report also found that the majority of casualties took place in areas near the Mediterranean Sea.

The heatwave comes amid record temperatures in other parts of the world, including the US, China, and Japan. Beijing and other Chinese cities are facing one of the hottest summers ever recorded, with temperatures surpassing 40C and the capital experiencing a record-high of 41.9C last month. In southwestern US, temperatures reached up to 130F last week.

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