15 May 2023 – by Willy Phillips
Since mid-April 2023, the Mediterranean region has experienced record-breaking sustained 40-degree Celsius temperatures due to an unprecedented heatwave. The uncharacteristically hot and dry spring has led to wildfires, droughts, and water shortages, affecting millions of people in countries such as Spain, Morocco, and Italy. The heatwave, described as the most severe in recent history, has quickly captured scientists’ and citizens’ attention.
According to experts studying the phenomenon, the heatwave would be “almost impossible” without the current climate crisis and the resulting atmospheric changes. A study from the World Weather Attribution found that the increase in global temperatures due to greenhouse gas emissions was the primary cause of the heat wave. The report further states that if no mitigatory efforts are taken, such heat waves will become more frequent and intense, leading to severe consequences for the region’s ecosystems, resources, and people.
The European Space Agency (ESA) monitors the Mediterranean region and has reported that a marine heatwave, understood as “extreme rises in ocean temperature over an extended period of time,” also affects the Mediterranean Sea. The recent heatwave has caused the sea’s surface temperature to rise, leading to the expansion of harmful algal blooms and the death of marine life. The ESA has also reported that the marine heatwave has affected the region’s fisheries and tourism industries, leading to significant economic losses.
The heatwave hit Spain and Morocco the hardest, with temperatures reaching 45 degrees Celsius. As a result, severe wildfires have torn through the regions, destroying forests and homes, forcing thousands of people to evacuate. The temperature spikes have also worsened water shortages in the area, with some cities resorting to water rationing.
The Mediterranean heatwave is a warning sign that the varied effects of climate change may be upon us. Moreover, it highlights the need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and prioritize human longevity as extreme temperatures, droughts, and wildfires become more significant threats to humanity.
