A recent study published in the journal Nature shows that half of the heat waves recorded over the past quarter-century would not have occurred without the influence of human-caused climate change. The research found that emissions from major polluting industries, including cement and fossil fuels, have significantly contributed to extreme weather events.
In examining a total of 213 heat waves that occurred between 2000 and 2023, the study established that 55 events were made over 10,000 times more likely due to human activity. These heat waves represent a substantial risk and have been linked to a multitude of health and environmental issues.
Sonia Seneviratne, a climate professor involved in the study, emphasized that a limited number of entities contribute to a significant proportion of greenhouse gas emissions, making them pivotal in discussions about climate accountability.
The findings serve as an essential reminder that global warming has made all studied heat waves increasingly likely, particularly those severe enough to cause fatalities and widespread ecological consequences.
The researchers used the EM-DAT International Disaster Database for the analysis, which is regarded as a comprehensive global disaster record. The implications of this research are significant not just for scientific understanding but also for potential legal frameworks holding fossil fuel companies accountable for their role in climate change.
