The warming Earth recently experienced a week with four of the hottest days ever recorded, causing widespread suffering as the heat persisted even at night. Scientists are deeply concerned about these heat records, which are exacerbated by climate change.
In Morocco’s Middle Atlas, people resorted to sleeping on rooftops to escape the heat. Hanna Ouhbour, a 31-year-old unemployed woman, waited outside a hospital for her diabetic cousin, who was in a room without air conditioning. The Beni Mellal region saw 21 heat-related deaths as temperatures soared to 48.3 degrees Celsius (118.9 degrees Fahrenheit).
Across the globe, people struggled to cope with the heat. In Pakistan, heatstroke patients filled hospitals, while in Spain, several regions were under alert for high temperatures. In Rome, tourists cooled off at the Trevi fountain as temperatures reached 37 degrees Celsius (98.6 degrees Fahrenheit).
The heatwave affected people's daily lives and health. Humayun Saeed, a roadside fruit seller in Lahore, Pakistan, had to go to the hospital twice in June due to heat stroke. Delia, a pregnant woman in Bucharest, Romania, considered sleeping in her car to escape the heat.
Climate scientists, who have long studied the effects of climate change, are now feeling the heat themselves. Roxy Mathew Koll, a climate scientist in Pune, India, experienced sleepless nights due to warmer urban temperatures. Philip Mote, a climate scientist in Oregon, noted that the Northwest, once considered a climate haven, is now experiencing extreme heat and fires.
In Boise, Idaho, tubing became a popular way to beat the heat, with record numbers of people waiting to get into the water. In Denver, workers at a pedal boat rental shop sought refuge in a shack with a strong fan to cool down.
The heatwave is a stark reminder of the real-world impacts of climate change, affecting people's lives and health in profound ways.
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