Climate Emergency Day: The clock ticks down as extreme heatwaves grip the globe

Today, as the world marks Climate Emergency Day, higher-than-normal temperatures are enveloping many countries.

The World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) said global temperatures have been at “unprecedented levels” for several weeks, adding that this could lead to an increase in the number of deaths from heat-related illnesses. 

The organisation said from North America to parts of Asia and across northern Africa, temperature levels have reached above 40°C.

In China, authorities have asked employers to limit outdoor work while in Algeria, Africa’s hottest night was recorded. 

DISASTERS ACROSS CONTINENTS

When the WMO reported June as the hottest month on record, little did the world know that July would be even more fiery.

The outbreak of climate disasters has become very rampant. According to a Carbon Brief analysis, extreme weather events across the globe this month have already featured on more than 114 front pages in newspapers published across 32 countries. 

To put these figures into context, below are some events from the past weeks: 

• Asia

Asian countries, including China, Japan, India, and South Korea, saw extreme weather events that had not been experienced before.   

In China, a new temperature peak of 52.2°C was recorded. More than 100 people died in severe floods in India while over 40 people died in floods in South Korea. 

• Europe

Countries in Europe have had their fair share of the rising temperature. Over the past week, temperature surged across southern and eastern Europe, including France, Spain, Italy, Poland and Greece, climbing well above 45°C. The development led to outbreaks of wildfires on the continent especially in Italy, Spain, and Croatia, resulting in deaths and evacuations.  

TheCable reported that a recent study found that up to 61,000 persons died from heatwaves in Europe in 2022 – and this year could be worse. 

• North America 

The National Weather Prediction Service, on July 19, tweeted that approximately 80 million Americans “should experience an air temperature or heat index above 105°F [ 40.6°C]” through the weekend of 22-23 July”.

According to Reuters, Americans are facing a mixture of extreme weather events, from blazing heat in Texas and Southern California to smoke-choked air wafting into the Midwest from Canada’s wildfires. 

A visitor to Phoenix, in southwestern Arizona, reportedly said: “It’s like you open an oven door and it’s the heat wave.” 

• Africa

AfricaNews reports that the continent is experiencing a surge in heat-related deaths as temperature rises above 40°C. The news platform added that up to 10 African countries, including Mali, Senegal, Burkina Faso, Niger and Gambia, are experiencing some of the highest temperatures on the planet. 

Morocco World News reports that in Morocco and Algeria, authorities have expressed concern over public health and urged local governments to take measures to keep residents safe amidst such harsh weather conditions. 

Temperatures in some parts of Egypt are expected to reach up to 45°C. Ahram Online reports that the Egyptian Meteorological Authority (EMA) said temperatures could feel “2°C to 3°C hotter” because of high humidity.

CLIMATE CLOCK SHOWS URGENT ACTION NEEDED

Amid the disasters and extreme weather events, the climate clock dropped below six years on Saturday – meaning the world has roughly five years to limit global temperature rise to 1.5C.

Human activities including the burning of fossil fuels are further driving the climate crises and widespread disasters. Scientists have warned that the emissions of greenhouse gases from fossil fuels will make heatwaves and climate disasters more frequent, severe and deadly. 

The climate clock, which is significant to mark Climate Emergency Day on July 22, aims to keep government and businesses in check and to ensure that they act in time to meet the deadline that will deliver needed solutions.

‘DO NOT IGNORE THE DEADLINE’

Joseph Ibrahim, climate clock West African coordinator, said in commemorating the Climate Emergency Day, humans must understand that time is a resource which when lost cannot be regained. 

He warned that policymakers should not ignore the deadline, as the world risks becoming accomplices of delay and devastation.

“The climate clock is a global symbol of urgency, melding art, science, tech, and grassroots mobilisation to alert people to the climate emergency and help enact hopeful, doable solutions in line with global commitments to the Paris agreement that aims to keep global warming below 1.5°C to preserve a livable world for all,” Ibrahim said. 

“The science behind the climate clock tells us we have less than six years to stay under 1.5°C warming — if policymakers ignore this hard deadline, we risk becoming accomplices of delay and devastation instead of the architects of a timely and just transition. Climate Emergency Day 2023 is a reminder that time is a resource we can’t renew.”