Thousands of penguins collectively die, and extreme weather around the world continues! Hailstones and wildfires in El Ni ñ o | high temperatures | weather

On July 4th local time, the World Meteorological Organization announced the formation of El Ni ñ o conditions in the tropical Pacific region for the first time in 7 years. It is expected that temperatures in most parts of the world will further rise in the future, and record high temperatures may occur within 5 years. Governments around the world should be prepared to respond to related climate events.

In the United States, widespread heatwaves continue, and local media claim that extreme high temperatures have pushed up costs for businesses and put pressure on the economy. After experiencing severe heatwaves in Europe, parts of Italy experienced hail the size of a tennis ball. Due to consecutive days of high temperatures and dry weather, there have been multiple wildfires in the Greek tourist destination of Rhode Island, causing approximately 19000 people to be displaced. The authorities say the fire is spreading uncontrollably and warn that controlling the fire may take some time.

In the southern hemisphere, which is in the winter half year, the Antarctic sea ice that usually recovers in winter has not returned to the expected level this year. In the South American country of Uruguay, according to the non-governmental organization SOS Marine Wildlife Rescue, over 5000 animal carcasses have been found along the southeastern coastline of the country since the 14th of this month. The authorities have also confirmed that about 2000 penguin carcasses have appeared on the eastern coast of the country in the past 10 days, and the cause of death has not been determined yet. However, the environmental department has ruled out the possibility of avian influenza related deaths.

Record breaking high temperatures in the United States

Annual loss or up to $100 billion

According to CCTV News, the southwestern United States has recently broken records for high temperatures. Several local hospitals have reported that the number of patients admitted to hospitals due to high temperatures has been increasing recently, and the number of deaths from high temperatures is also on the rise. In addition to an increase in the number of people directly dying from high temperatures, record breaking high temperatures will also have a huge impact on the US economy and production. According to an analysis report by the Atlantic Council, a US think tank, if we only consider the impact of productivity, the country's annual losses caused by extreme high temperatures will reach $100 billion. If climate change is not controlled, this number will double by 2030.

Moody's economic research analyst Chris Lafarges explains that heatwaves will reduce the productivity of workers, especially those engaged in outdoor work. Analysis shows that by 2100, the chronic damage caused by heat waves to the human body may lead to a 17.6% reduction in global GDP. Professor Joshua Graff, who studies the effects of heat waves at the University of California, San Diego, explains that heat waves will lead to reduced working hours and consequently reduced output.

Atlantic Council researcher Casey McClure explained that when subjected to heat waves, the human brain's reaction speed slows down, attention becomes difficult to concentrate, and hand eye coordination becomes difficult to maintain. "We feel tired and make some mistakes," Casey said. According to Casey, this phenomenon is most likely to occur among people working in agriculture and construction, as well as among professionals in various industries. "Even employees working in air-conditioned rooms may experience fatigue and work efficiency due to poor sleep at night."

Massive hail appears after a heatwave in Italy

Wildfires spreading in Greece

According to reports, after being hit by a heatwave, hail the size of a tennis ball hit northern Italy. It is reported that the temperature at Rome's main airport reached 40 ℃ on July 18th. After experiencing a strong heatwave, the region quickly welcomed cold air again. The Veneto region has been experiencing extreme weather such as strong winds and hail since July 19th local time. According to Luca Zaya, the chairman of the Veneto region, the hail that fell was "unusual", with some hailstones exceeding 4 inches in diameter.

It is reported that although "hail" may appear to have the word "ice" on its face, it is actually a phenomenon of "solid precipitation" that often occurs in summer. According to Xinhua News Agency, when small water droplets are carried by updrafts to the upper and middle layers of clouds, they quickly become cold and solidify into small ice crystals. During the descent process, small ice crystals collide with supercooled water droplets, forming hail embryos. Due to the drastic changes in airflow in hail clouds, hail embryos attach more supercooled water droplets and roll larger and larger. Once it rolls into large hail, when the rising airflow in the clouds cannot support it, it falls from the air, forming hail. According to media reports, the average diameter of hail is generally about 0.2 to 2 inches, which is much smaller than the recent hail in Italy.

In Greece, there have been multiple wildfires in the tourist destination of Rhode Island in recent days, causing approximately 19000 people to be displaced. According to CCTV News, as of July 22nd, Greece has been experiencing high temperatures of 39 ℃ and above for 11 days. Greek radio and television organizations reported on July 22nd, citing officials from the meteorological department, that the duration of this round of high temperatures of 39 ℃ and above may reach 16 to 17 days, "unprecedented in Greek history." It is reported that since the afternoon of July 18th, wildfires have occurred in multiple places on Rhode Island. Due to high temperatures, dryness, and strong winds, several wildfires that have been extinguished resumed on July 22nd. The government then began organizing evacuation of personnel from dangerous areas.

It is worth mentioning that the tourism industry is an important industry supporting the development of the Greek economy, accounting for nearly a quarter of the country's GDP and providing Greece with a large number of employment opportunities. Therefore, when the fire broke out, the authorities quickly took action. According to media reports on July 23rd, wildfires are still raging in Greece, and the country's fire department says about 19000 people have been evacuated, most of whom are tourists in hotels. According to the report, in addition to the local fire department in Greece, firefighters from Türkiye, France and the Czech Republic also arrived in Rhode Island. It is reported that Türkiye and France sent 49 fire engines and 266 firefighters.

Professor Evsimios, who studies natural disasters, believes that the fires that occurred in Rhode Island have had a significant impact on the local environment. He warned that the tourism industry in the area may also be affected. "I have noticed that many large hotels have closed, and they may not be able to operate this year. Moreover, the current environment in the area is no longer suitable for vacation." It is reported that the permanent population of Rhode Island is about 100000, and it welcomed over 2.5 million tourists last year.

Rapid reduction of Antarctic sea ice

Thousands of penguin carcasses washed ashore in Uruguay

In Antarctica, sea ice is rapidly decreasing, and the Antarctic sea ice, which usually recovers in winter, has not returned to the expected level this year. The report states that typically, ice should re form during winter, but this year seems to be different. According to the World Meteorological Organization, the Antarctic sea ice area has reached a historic low since satellite observation records began in June, 17% lower than the average level, significantly breaking the previous record for June. According to reports, as the southern hemisphere enters the winter half year, Antarctic sea ice is re forming, but its scale is the smallest on record and it is also the first time that "Antarctic sea ice cannot be substantially restored in winter", which has puzzled scientists.

Marine physicist Edward said that describing it as "unprecedented" may not be enough. "We expect this kind of winter to occur every 7.5 million years," Edward emphasized the importance of sea ice in regulating temperature. "If the amount of sea ice decreases, the sunlight shining on the surface of seawater will be directly absorbed by the seawater, accelerating climate warming in the region."

In Edward's view, climate change may be a significant reason for the unexpected winter recovery of Antarctic sea ice. Australian sea ice physicist Petra believes that climate change and ocean warming together contribute to this situation. However, both believe that ultimately, the cause of this phenomenon is still human activity.

Meanwhile, the non-governmental organization "SOS Marine Wildlife Rescue" stated that since the 14th of this month, over 5000 animal carcasses have been found along the southeastern coastline of Uruguay, most of which are penguins, as well as petrels, seagulls, sea lions, and dolphins. The authorities have also confirmed that about 2000 penguin carcasses have appeared on the eastern coast of the country in the past 10 days, but the specific cause of death is unknown. However, the environmental department has ruled out the possibility of avian influenza related deaths.

The head of the country's environmental department, Carmen, said that among the dead penguins, 9 became cubs, and it is currently believed that they died in the water and were washed ashore by ocean currents. She also stated that these deceased penguin cubs were in an fasting state with almost no fat reserves in their bodies. Carmen emphasized that the avian influenza test results of these penguins were all negative.

It is reported that these penguins originally lived in the southern part of Argentina. With the arrival of winter in the southern hemisphere, they will migrate to the north coast of Brazil in search of food and warm water. According to Carmen, it is normal for a certain number of dead penguins to occur during migration, but such a large number is unusual.

Richard, a member of the SOS Marine Wildlife Rescue organization, speculates that the cause of death for these animals may be due to human overexploitation of marine resources, resulting in a lack of food for these animals. Richard also stated that extreme weather can lead to the death of relatively weaker animals.