As the Paris Summer Olympics continue, athletes are facing extreme heat with temperatures reaching as high as 97 degrees Fahrenheit (around 36 degrees Celsius). To cope with the scorching conditions, athletes are utilizing ice vests and rented air conditioners to maintain their performance levels.
An analysis released recently revealed that climate change has contributed between 4.5 and 5.94 degrees Fahrenheit (2.5 to 3.3 degrees Celsius) to July temperatures in Paris and the broader Mediterranean region. The study emphasized that the current heatwave would have been nearly impossible without the impact of fossil fuel-driven warming.
Experts have pointed out that if the atmosphere was not overloaded with emissions from burning fossil fuels, Paris would have been approximately 3 degrees Celsius cooler, creating a safer environment for sports activities. However, the consequences of extreme heat are more severe for individuals in the Mediterranean region who lack access to cooling resources, potentially leading to fatal outcomes.
Across the Mediterranean, temperatures have exceeded 100 degrees Fahrenheit this July, with reports of at least 21 fatalities in Morocco due to extreme heat reaching over 118 degrees Fahrenheit. The true death toll from heat-related incidents is likely higher, as heat-related fatalities are often underreported.
The global climate crisis, primarily driven by human activities such as burning fossil fuels, is intensifying heatwaves worldwide, making them hotter, longer, and more frequent.
In Paris, temperatures have surged during the Olympics, hitting a peak of 97 degrees Fahrenheit (36 degrees Celsius) on Tuesday, the hottest day in the city since July 2022. The forecast indicates that temperatures will remain above average for the rest of the week, with Wednesday expecting a high near 90 degrees Fahrenheit (32 degrees Celsius). However, temperatures are projected to gradually decrease towards the weekend, approaching normal July temperatures of around 79 degrees Fahrenheit (26 degrees Celsius).
