A heat wave due to warm air currents coming from Africa caused temperatures to rise drastically in several European countries during mid-June.
Many European cities were not built for this type of heat. An example of this is the London Underground, which is only partially air-conditioned, becoming unbearable for many people. The heat wave has also caused problems in other places. In the Ascot Racecourse in Berkshire, England, the Royal Ascot was being held. The Royal Ascot is an event that hosts the most prestigious horse racing, delicious food and drink, and spectacular fashion for five days in June. The Royal Ascot is also famous for its strict dress code, but, due to the searing temperatures from the heat wave, men were allowed to remove their ties and jackets after the procession of the royal carriage.
In Spain, they obtained the highest temperature during the heat wave, 111.5 degrees Fahrenheit (44.2 degrees Celsius), and reached the highest temperature since 1950. Authorities have classified the entire country under “extreme risk” of wildfires. In addition, “Swifts,” a type of protected bird that builds their nests in cavities, or holes in buildings that are normally built of concrete and steel. The concrete and steel acted like insulators which caused temperatures in nests to be extremely high. This caused new hatchlings to rush out of nests, despite not knowing how to fly.
In addition to the heat wave, many countries have also discouraged people from using AC due to the effort to reduce the reliance on Russian gas by reducing energy demand. In the U.S., an estimated 90 percent of people have access to air conditioning at home, whereas, in France and Germany, there is only 5 percent or less.
Hannah Cloke, a climate scientist at the University of Reading, said Britain was not prepared for the heat. “People aren’t taking it very seriously. They think about ice cream and having fun, but they aren’t seeing the risk for vulnerable people.” Hundreds of fatalities in Britain each year are due to heat waves. Authorities have called people to go to cool off at “islands of coolness,” places like city parks, cemeteries, swimming pools, and museums where people can cool off. Climate scientists say that these measures are not enough to fight the intense heat from climate change.
Many European cities were not built for this type of heat. An example of this is the London Underground, which is only partially air-conditioned, becoming unbearable for many people. The heat wave has also caused problems in other places. In the Ascot Racecourse in Berkshire, England, the Royal Ascot was being held. The Royal Ascot is an event that hosts the most prestigious horse racing, delicious food and drink, and spectacular fashion for five days in June. The Royal Ascot is also famous for its strict dress code, but, due to the searing temperatures from the heat wave, men were allowed to remove their ties and jackets after the procession of the royal carriage.
In Spain, they obtained the highest temperature during the heat wave, 111.5 degrees Fahrenheit (44.2 degrees Celsius), and reached the highest temperature since 1950. Authorities have classified the entire country under “extreme risk” of wildfires. In addition, “Swifts,” a type of protected bird that builds their nests in cavities, or holes in buildings that are normally built of concrete and steel. The concrete and steel acted like insulators which caused temperatures in nests to be extremely high. This caused new hatchlings to rush out of nests, despite not knowing how to fly.
In addition to the heat wave, many countries have also discouraged people from using AC due to the effort to reduce the reliance on Russian gas by reducing energy demand. In the U.S., an estimated 90 percent of people have access to air conditioning at home, whereas, in France and Germany, there is only 5 percent or less.
Hannah Cloke, a climate scientist at the University of Reading, said Britain was not prepared for the heat. “People aren’t taking it very seriously. They think about ice cream and having fun, but they aren’t seeing the risk for vulnerable people.” Hundreds of fatalities in Britain each year are due to heat waves. Authorities have called people to go to cool off at “islands of coolness,” places like city parks, cemeteries, swimming pools, and museums where people can cool off. Climate scientists say that these measures are not enough to fight the intense heat from climate change.
