We live in a world where, for the past few years, some of the hottest heat waves in the world have been recorded.
Impact on Ecosystems
Heat waves similarly have disastrous impacts on the ecosystem. They added that extended periods of heat kill the plants as well as animals that can not survive in such environment.
For instance, heat waves can lead to large-scale fish die-offs in rivers or lakes and stress to forests and other plant formations.
Many times, heatwaves are associated with other problems that affect the environment, like droughts and wildfires that endanger species’ existence.
Human Health Risks
It is worthy to note that heat is fatal and dangerous to human beings in this extreme form. Heatwaves are said to come with a host of complications, including heat stroke and dehydration; hence, the elderly, children, and those with chronic diseases are most affected.
Similarly, heat also affects the quality of air, thereby making it a polluted place to live due to diseases such as respiratory diseases, etc.
Urban Heat Islands
Rural areas always have lower temperatures than the nearby cities in the region due to the urban heat island effect. This is due to the fact that concrete and asphalt, among other artificial surfaces, are darker and tend to absorb more heat than natural surfaces such as grass.
This of course mostly applies to densely populated regions, where heat quickly builds up; thus, to avoid such conditions, city planners should focus on enhancing number of oases, planting more trees, and using mirrors in buildings, among others.
Climate Change Connection
The increasing frequency and severity of heatwaves are strongly linked to climate change. As global temperatures rise due to the accumulation of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, heatwaves are expected to become more common and intense.
This creates a feedback loop where heatwaves further strain natural and human systems, highlighting the urgent need for comprehensive climate action to reduce emissions and adapt to these changing conditions.
ASH CK