Record-Breaking Heat Waves Sweeping Across the Globe
Not only South Korea but the entire world is currently grappling with unprecedented heat waves. In a disconcerting development, July of this year has been officially declared as the hottest month ever recorded in human history. Scientists and experts are even suggesting that we have transitioned from a period of mere global warming to a full-blown “global tropical” era, highlighting the severity of the situation we find ourselves in.
A Desperate Situation Unfolding in Greece
Dispatching from Paris, our correspondent Son Ryeong brings us the chilling account of a forest fire raging through the city of Volos in central Greece. The situation escalated rapidly, with thick columns of black smoke ascending into the sky, reminiscent of bombs detonating. In a horrifying turn of events, an explosion was heard, causing a shock wave that shattered household glass situated miles away from the epicenter. The fire, which commenced in Volos, rapidly enveloped a coastal town 20 kilometers away before moving towards an air force ammunition depot. With nearby villages issued an immediate evacuation notice, locals had no choice but to flee their homes, taking their loved ones and animals with them. Among the frightened residents, one heart-wrenching voice stands out:
[조지 치티스/Resident]
“What we fear the most is a catastrophic explosion. The village is currently being evacuated, as a shock wave could be felt even four or five kilometers away.”
Climate change-induced heat waves and a prolonged drought have already sparked over 500 forest fires in Greece this year. The devastating consequences are an urgent reminder of the dire consequences we face when these extreme weather events occur.
Heatwave Woes Confronting the United States
Meanwhile, in the United States, where heatwaves claim the lives of over 600 individuals annually, concerns grow as scorching weather persists for an extended period, affecting more than half of the population. A staggering 170 million Americans find themselves residing in areas under “heat watch” or “heat wave warning.” The scale of this climatic discomfort is truly unsettling.
Northwest African Nations Battling Extreme Drought
As the Northwest African countries buckle under the strain of abnormally high temperatures, an intense drought has gripped the region. With water scarcity reaching alarming levels, these nations are resorting to unconventional methods like using seawater, sewage, and waste water. Such drastic measures underscore the severity of the water crisis these countries are grappling with.
Evidence of Soaring Temperatures
These distressing developments are supported by concrete data. The average surface temperature of the Earth during the third week of July this year reached a staggering 16.95 degrees Celsius, surpassing the previous record set in 2019. This alarming trend has led United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, to redefine our current predicament as a planet perilously boiling beyond mere warming. He states:
[António Guterres/UN Secretary-General]
“The era of global warming is over. We have now entered the era of a global tropical age. The very air we breathe has become increasingly inhospitable, and the relentless heat has become unbearable.”
If these global catastrophes continue unabated, warns the United Nations, we shall face even hotter summers within the next five years. Urgent and comprehensive climate action on a global scale is thus imperative.
Reporting from MBC News in Paris, I am Son Ryeong.
Video commentary: Lee Yu-gyeong / Video editing: Park Chun-gyu
◀ Anchor ▶
Not only Korea, but the whole world is suffering from record breaking heat waves.
In particular, July this year was recorded as the hottest month in human history.
There is also a warning that it is no longer a “global warming” period but a “global tropical” period.
Reporter Son Ryeong covered the story in Paris.
◀ Report ▶
Columns of black smoke rise here and there like bombs.
In the end, an explosion was heard and the shock wave shattered even household glass far away.
A forest fire that started in the city of Volos in central Greece has spread to a coastal town 20 kilometers away and moved to an air force ammunition depot.
As an evacuation order was given to nearby villages, all boats were moved, and people and animals had to leave the village.
[조지 치티스/마을 주민]
“What we fear is an explosion. The village is being evacuated. There was a shockwave four or five kilometers away.”
More than 500 forest fires have already started in Greece this year, as a result of climate change, including heat waves and dry weather.
In the United States, where more than 600 people die each year from heat waves, as the hot weather continued for more than a month, more than half of the population, 170 million people, were worried that they were in the an area affected by a ‘heat watch’ or ‘heat wave warning’.
Northwest African countries suffering from extreme drought due to abnormally high temperatures also use seawater and sewage and waste water due to water scarcity.
This phenomenon has also been proven numerically.
The average surface temperature of the earth through the third week of July this year was 16.95 degrees Celsius, the highest ever recorded, surpassing the record in 2019.
The Secretary General of the United Nations has defined the current situation as the planet is boiling beyond warming.
[안토니우 구테흐스/유엔 사무총장]
“The era of global warming is over. The global tropical age has come. The atmospheric conditions are difficult to breathe, and the heat is unbearable.″
The United Nations has made it clear that these global disasters are just beginning and that humans are to blame.
Without dramatic and immediate climate action around the world, experts warn that we will face even hotter summers within five years.
This is Son Ryeong from MBC News in Paris.
Video commentary: Lee Yu-gyeong / Video editing: Park Chun-gyu
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