Heat Waves Across US, Europe, China Spark Record Temperatures

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Facts

  • Regions across the globe are experiencing record heat waves as the American South and Southwest grapple with “record-breaking heat,” per the US National Weather Service. Simultaneously, China’s western Xinjiang region is logging the country’s highest temperature on record.1
  • On Sunday, Furnace Creek, Calif., in the US Southwest’s Death Valley, recorded temperatures of 128°F (53.3°C). Last month, Houston, Texas reported its first heat-related death as a 67-year-old passed away.2
  • Europe is also dealing with record temperatures, as Italian islands Sicily and Sardinia expect highs of 118°F (47.8°C) this week. Rome also saw record temperatures at 110°F (43.3°C), while Greece saw temperatures cool down a little after a sweeping heat wave.3
  • Italian authorities issued “extreme” heat warnings in 16 cities, while Greece shut down the Acropolis of Athens for the second consecutive day on Saturday. The European Space Agency warned that the heat wave was just beginning in Spain, France, Germany, and Poland with more record-breaking temperatures to come.4
  • Last week, Beijing registered its highest temperature for this time of the year since 1961, while 214 weather regions recorded their hottest June temperatures. Meteorologists expect the heat to persist; they've said factors including climate change and a brewing El Niño are key ingredients.5
  • Wildfires have broken out in the Spanish Canary Islands and Greece, while a fire in Catania, Sicily caused the local airport to delay flights Monday.6

Sources: 1NBC, 2Guardian, 3CBS, 49, 5XINHUA and 6CNN.

Narratives

  • Narrative A, as provided by POLITICO. It is quite clear that human-created climate change is responsible for the record-setting temperatures we are seeing around the world, and we must listen to climate science. The climate debate isn’t about politics — it's about saving the future of our planet from the disastrous consequences we are facing, including this searing heat.
  • Narrative B, as provided by Forbes. While climate change is an urgent issue, journalists and activists have an obligation to separate the facts from fiction and describe environmental problems honestly and accurately. The catastrophic framing of climate change does far more harm than good, not only by impacting the mental health of our youth but by alienating and polarizing large portions of the population and distracting from other important issues. Climate alarmism must be taken with a grain of salt — especially in an El Niño year.