A Season of Extremes: U.S. Summer 2023 and Climate Change

The summer of 2023 illustrates an alarming range of weather phenomena across the United States, featuring intense heatwaves, serious floods, and broad-ranging wildfires. These incidents coincide with scientific predictions related to climate change effects, given the ongoing increase in the Earth’s temperature resulting from anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions.

Weather irregularities are being reported throughout the country. Noteworthy are the images of smoke-enveloped Central Park, flood-stricken Montpelier in Vermont, and the strain on Arizona’s cooling centers.

Unprecedented Temperature and Ocean Heatwaves

The global average temperature record for this month has been surpassed, signaling the possible emergence of an El Nino event, known to potentially exacerbate the symptoms of global warming. Concurrently, ocean surface temperatures have sustained at extraordinarily high levels since mid-March, resulting in a protracted marine heatwave off the Florida coast.

The ocean absorbs an estimated 90% of the heat trapped by greenhouse gases, which can intensify marine heatwaves. These phenomena have a range of potential ecological impacts, such as shifting species habitats, potential species extinction, and the spread of invasive species.

The Escalation of Wildfires

Canada, our northern neighbor, is facing wildfires of an unprecedented scale, with more land consumed by fire this year than in any previous year. These wildfires can be traced back to an exceptionally severe heatwave in the spring that primed the landscape for combustion. Forecast models predict that climate change is likely to increase the frequency and intensity of wildfires.

Worldwide Heatwaves and Their Impact

On a global scale, large parts of the Northern Hemisphere are experiencing extreme heat. As per the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), this June set a new record for the highest global average temperature, a trend that continued into July. Heat domes have formed over vast regions of North Africa, the Mediterranean, Asia, and the southern United States, leading to concurrent and persistent heatwaves.

Such extreme weather conditions have far-reaching implications for human health, economies, ecosystems, agriculture, and water and energy supplies. The WMO highlights the urgency of implementing comprehensive strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in order to minimize these impacts.

The Heatwave-Flooding Paradox

Simultaneously, while parts of the globe are under extreme heat, heavy rainfall and consequential flooding have been inflicting considerable damage and causing loss of life in countries including the Republic of Korea, Japan, and regions of the United States. These severe weather events are projected to become more frequent and intense as the Earth’s temperature continues to rise.