Source: Xinhua
Editor: huaxia
2024-08-14 16:52:34
* Prolonged and severe heatwaves have hit every continent, with at least 10 countries experiencing daily temperatures exceeding 50 degrees Celsius in multiple areas over the past year, according to the WMO.
* Extreme heat damages infrastructure and strains essential services, including water, electricity, health and food supplies.
* A key solution is the rapid reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. Investment in clean energy technologies, such as wind, solar and hydroelectric power, is crucial to achieving this goal.
A major wildfire had been contained in the suburbs of Athens since Sunday, leaving one person dead, thousands evacuated and significant damage by Tuesday morning.
Greek firefighters have been battling wildfires across the country every day since May.
The spate of fires comes after a report released by the UN World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the European Union's climate agency Copernicus that Europe has become the fastest-warming continent in the world, with temperatures rising at roughly twice the global average.
In July, a streak of 13 consecutive months of record-breaking temperatures finally ended, Copernicus said last week. However, experts warned of the persistent threat posed by climate change.
"The overall context hasn't changed. Our climate continues to warm," said Copernicus Deputy Director Samantha Burgess. "The devastating effects of climate change started well before 2023 and will continue until global greenhouse gas emissions reach net zero."
RED ALERT
Prolonged and severe heatwaves have hit every continent, with at least 10 countries experiencing daily temperatures exceeding 50 degrees Celsius in multiple areas over the past year, according to the WMO.
Japan's average temperature for July reached its highest level since records began in 1898. Japanese authorities said more than 120 people had died of heatstroke in Tokyo.
Spain recorded 608 deaths attributable to high temperatures in the first week starting August, almost double the previous week's total of 335, according to the Carlos III Health Institute.
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