https://twitter.com/home https://www.facebook.com/Shabbir.Hussain191By Shabbir Hussain
ISLAMABAD/LONDON, June 26 (Alliance News): Human-induced climate change is the leading factor behind the unprecedented intensity of Europe’s record-breaking heatwave.
According to a major scientific assessment, with experts warning that rising global temperatures are increasing the frequency of extreme weather events and creating serious risks for human health, agriculture, and economies.
The World Weather Attribution (WWA) group of scientists said the current heatwave would have been “virtually impossible” during the cooler climate conditions of five decades ago.
Researchers found that a similar heat event in June 1976 would have been around 3.5 degrees Celsius cooler during daytime temperatures compared with today’s conditions.
The study, conducted by scientists from Europe, the United States, and the United Kingdom, concluded that the world’s rising temperatures have significantly changed the likelihood of extreme heat events.
The lead author of the study, Theodore Keeping from Imperial College London, said the current heatwave reflects the growing influence of climate change on weather patterns.
“This event would not have been possible in June without climate change,” Keeping said, explaining that the planet’s warming has dramatically increased the possibility of severe heat events that were once considered extremely rare.
Climate scientist Dr. Friederike Otto, co-founder of World Weather Attribution and a researcher at Imperial College London, said the atmospheric pattern behind the heatwave was not unusual, but the intensity of temperatures was a clear indication of the impact of global warming.
“The weather pattern itself is not particularly unusual, but the temperatures are — or at least they used to be, without human-induced climate change,” Otto said, highlighting that climate change is making extreme heat more frequent and dangerous.
The planet has already warmed by around 1.4 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels due to decades of greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuels, including coal, oil, and gas.
Scientists have repeatedly warned that every additional rise in global temperature increases the risk of more intense heatwaves, floods, droughts, and other climate-related disasters.
Pakistan’s climate and agriculture expert Dr. Zubair Ahmed said the European heatwave demonstrates how climate change is affecting every region of the world, regardless of geography.
“Extreme heat is not only a weather issue; it is a major challenge for agriculture, water resources, and food security.
Countries vulnerable to climate change must focus on adaptation, efficient water management, climate-smart agriculture, and early warning systems to reduce future risks,” Dr. Zubair Ahmed said.
He added that developing countries face greater challenges because climate impacts often directly affect rural communities, farming systems, and livelihoods.
Economist Dr. Khizar Nazir said climate change is also emerging as a major economic concern, as extreme weather events increase pressure on national budgets, infrastructure, energy systems, and public health services.
“Climate-related disasters are creating economic challenges by reducing productivity, damaging infrastructure, and increasing the cost of adaptation. Investment in sustainable development and climate resilience is now essential for long-term economic stability,” Dr. Khizar Nazir said.
Europe, currently the fastest-warming continent, has experienced several intense heat events in recent years. The latest heatwave affected millions of people, with temperatures breaking records in several countries.
The WWA analysis showed that nearly 45 percent of around 850 European cities studied had either already broken or were expected to break heat stress records during June.
Scientists warned that the combination of high temperatures and humidity increases the risk of heat-related illnesses, including dehydration, heat exhaustion, and life-threatening health conditions.
Researchers also noted that the natural El Niño climate pattern had little influence on the current heatwave, reinforcing the conclusion that human-caused warming was the dominant factor behind the extreme temperatures.
Experts stressed that reducing dependence on fossil fuels and accelerating the transition toward clean energy are critical steps to limit future climate risks.
They warned that without stronger global climate action, extreme heat events that were once considered exceptional could become a regular feature of the world’s changing climate.
