Global Warming Taking the Heat For Extreme Temperatures
Citizens dealing with the consequences of the latest bout of unusual weather.
If you’ve noticed the weather has been acting strange lately, you aren’t alone. Global warming is to blame for the recent extreme temperatures shocking the globe, and it doesn’t show signs of stopping.
What’s the problem?
Weather extremes are becoming the norm across the Northern Hemisphere, causing parts of the United States to experience freezing temperatures while countries like Scotland face record-breaking heat.
Fast Facts
1. According to Climate Central, the United States has set 17 new daily highs for every new daily low. This is compared to last year, where nearly three new highs were set for every low.
2. The sea ice cap has shrunk about 40 percent since the early 1980s, meaning that the now dark, open water of the Arctic Ocean is absorbing extra heat to release into the atmosphere.
3. United States government scientists have reported that February was the 324th consecutive month in which global temperatures exceeded their long-term average for a given month. The last time this happened was February 1985.
How does this affect me?
Record-breaking temperatures are causing usual habits and ways of life to quickly change. Damage to tree crops is expected to cost millions of dollars thanks to a cold snap in Northern States, and Vermont is just one of the many places facing the consequences of this latest bout of bad weather. A syrup producer in Huntington, Vt. said that the trees budded early because of the heat wave, ruining the taste of the maple syrup. This cut his production in half compared to a typical year. “Is it climate change? I really don’t know,” he said. “This was just one year out of my 46, but I have never seen anything like it.”
What do scientists say?
Scientists are paying close attention to the dramatic decline of sea ice in the Arctic, which has a direct and serious impact to the atmosphere. The loss of sea ice is tied to the human release of greenhouse gases. Despite conflicting opinions, scientists are working to develop theories that connect the unusual weather to global warming.
What does it all mean?
According to a report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, the changing climate we are experiencing can result in extreme weather events. Be prepared for more heat waves, heavy rainfall and coastal flooding.
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