Rédaction Africa Links 24 with The Observer
Published on 2024-04-03 03:07:03
Climate change is causing heat waves to move more slowly across the globe, resulting in longer and more intense periods of high temperatures over larger areas, according to a new study. The study, published in Science Advances, revealed that since 1979, global heat waves have been moving 20 percent more slowly and occurring 67 percent more frequently.
Researchers Wei Zhang of Utah State University and Gabriel Lau of Princeton University found that the highest temperatures within heat waves are now warmer than they were 40 years ago, and the affected areas are larger. The study focused not only on the temperature and area of heat waves but also on their duration and movement across continents.
The findings showed that from 1979 to 1983, the average duration of global heat waves was eight days, but by 2016 to 2020, this had increased to 12 days. Eurasia experienced longer-lasting heat waves, while Africa saw the most significant slowing down of heat waves. North America and Australia, on the other hand, experienced the largest increases in overall magnitude of heat waves.
The study highlighted the dangers posed by prolonged heat waves, explaining that the longer the heat lasts, the more severe the impact on human health. The researchers emphasized that the slowdown of heat waves means that they remain in a region for a longer period, exacerbating the adverse effects on society.
Computer simulations conducted by the research team attributed these changes to heat-trapping emissions from the burning of fossil fuels. The study compared a world with greenhouse gas emissions to one without and concluded that the worsening heat waves observed over the past 45 years could only be explained by climate change.
The study also investigated how changes in weather patterns contribute to the propagation of heat waves. Weakening atmospheric waves, such as the jet stream, are causing heat waves to travel more slowly across continents, particularly in a west to east direction in most regions.
Scientists praised the comprehensive approach taken by Zhang and colleagues in analyzing the interaction between heat waves and weather patterns on a global scale. The study provided valuable insights into the evolution and movement of heat waves regionally and across continents, highlighting the impact of climate change on the frequency and intensity of extreme heat events.
The findings underscore the urgent need for action to mitigate climate change and reduce greenhouse gas emissions to prevent further worsening of heat waves. The study serves as a stark reminder of the direct consequences of global warming and the increasing risks posed by extreme heat events.
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