A man washing his head at a fountain in the square with his shirt off in the midday heat, a wildfire spewing black smoke on a dry yellow field, a forest fire turns forests into ashes and threatens private homes, a twisted railroad track, a red heatwave warning and declaring a national emergency situation... Europe in July because of climate change is experiencing the heat of hell.
This month, Europe is in a state of emergency due to extremely high temperatures in midsummer. The heatwave is setting new records every day, and it is now common to exceed 40 degrees Celsius. Britain crossed 40 degrees for the first time ever, and so did France. In Spain and Portugal, the situation is even worse, reaching 47 degrees. We have terrible prospects for the Iberian Peninsula, with temperatures over 50 degrees. The United States is no exception, and the entire global village is suffering from unprecedented severe body fatigue. "Climate change is killing people, killing ecosystems and biodiversity." it is affecting all of us deeply.
High temperatures exceeding 40 degrees are difficult to tolerate compared to the normal human body temperature of around 37 degrees. It's literally suffocating. If the situation does not improve, in a few years there will likely be a saying, "But then, compared to now, this will be considered mild". Bad times are waiting for the global village.
Why is the heat wave particularly hitting Europe this year? First, the 'blocking phenomenon' is considered to be the cause of the heat wave. This is because the huge high pressure stays for a long time and stagnates the airflow. It got its name because it completely blocked the airflow. In addition, the weakening of the jet stream force pushing the heated high-pressure layer also played a role. It is a warning to the planet about greenhouse gases and climate change.
Unlike Europe, we wonder if the heat wave and tropical nights are over. It is quite cool at night when you open the window without turning on the air conditioner. Are we better off than Europe? There is a slight difference in temperatures, but we don't know the future. We must not forget that today in Europe can be our tomorrow.
"The climate crisis is at a crossroads between collective action and collective suicide." A warning from UN Secretary-General at the recent climate talks in Germany is terrifying.
This means that the global village must take action on climate action together right now. In the face of the climate crisis, scientists have come up with a countermeasure called the global temperature change within 1.5℃” scenario. The goal is to limit the increase in global average temperature to 1.5°C by 2100. The standard is the pre-industrial comparison. Since it has already risen by 1℃, there is only a 0.5℃ margin. By 2030, greenhouse gas emissions must be reduced by at least 45% compared to 2010, and net emissions must be zero by 2050. It is considered the only desperate solution to slow global warming. Other alternatives include preserving biodiversity, reducing internal combustion locomotives, and using fewer fossil fuels such as coal.
The solution to the climate crisis is ultimately protecting the planet. Isn't the earth "the heavens and the earth that God created in the beginning" (Genesis 1:1)? It is also, as Pope Francis said: "the house of all of us." "The natural environment is the heritage of all mankind and a public good that everyone should be responsible for. We are facing a complex social and environmental crisis. We must unite in caring for this house entrusted to us." (From the Encyclical 「Laudato Si) Let’s get rid of the thought: I am only one person— what can I do to protect the earth? Even if it's not right now, we just can't ignore the problems of life and death of future generations? Let's be willing to start with small actions that we can do in our respective places.
