Record-breaking Heat Waves: Midwest and Eastern US Sizzle, Europe and Middle East Reach Critical Temperatures

Delhi, India, New Delhi, India India
Europe and Asia have seen temperatures twice as likely due to human-induced greenhouse gas emissions.
Heat waves are causing extreme temperatures in the Midwest and eastern United States, Europe, and Middle East.
In the US, a high-pressure system is compressing air into a dome shape causing heatwaves.
Saudi Arabia experienced temperatures above 50 degrees Celsius during Hajj pilgrimage, causing over 550 deaths.
Record-breaking Heat Waves: Midwest and Eastern US Sizzle, Europe and Middle East Reach Critical Temperatures

Record-breaking Heat Waves Sweep Across the Northern Hemisphere

Heat waves have hit various parts of the northern hemisphere, causing extreme temperatures and safety measures in several countries. Let's take a closer look at how this phenomenon is affecting different regions.

North America: A broad swath of the Midwest and eastern United States are currently experiencing a heat wave caused by a high-pressure system in the Earth's upper atmosphere, compressing the air beneath it into a dome shape. This heatwave has forced people to find ways to cool down, with organizations providing frozen towels and cold water for their workers. In some areas like Toledo, Ohio and New York City, events have been canceled due to the extreme temperatures.

Europe: The mercury soared in Greece this week, leading to the deaths or disappearance of tourists. For many parts of Europe and Asia, including India and Pakistan, the heat was twice as likely to occur because humans started burning fossil fuels and releasing greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. This trend is expected to continue with Earth's temperature on track to approach or surpass the highest global averages of temperature ever recorded this month.

Middle East: Temperatures in Saudi Arabia soared above 50 degrees Celsius during the Hajj pilgrimage, causing at least 550 deaths. The extreme heat has also affected other countries in the region, with many people seeking refuge from the scorching temperatures.

Despite these challenges, it's important to remember that climate change is a complex issue and requires a comprehensive approach to mitigate its effects. Stay informed about local weather conditions and take necessary precautions to stay safe during extreme heat events.



Confidence

91%

Doubts
  • Exact number of deaths in Europe due to heatwave
  • Precise cause of disappearance of tourists in Greece

Sources

69%

  • Unique Points
    • The mercury surged in Greece, leading to the deaths or disappearance of tourists.
    • For some 80% of the world's population, the heat of the past week was twice as likely to occur because humans started burning fossil fuels and releasing greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.
    • The planet is on track to approach or surpass the highest global averages of temperature ever recorded this month.
    • Earth's temperature over the past 12 months has been about 1.5 degrees Celsius above preindustrial levels.
  • Accuracy
    • Billions of people have experienced heat with climate change-fueled intensity in recent days, breaking over 1000 temperature records globally.
    • Dozens of bodies were discovered in Delhi amid a two-day stretch when even sundown brought no relief from sweltering heat and humidity.
    • Hundreds of pilgrims perished before they could reach Islam’s holiest site, struck down by temperatures as high as 125 degrees.
    • Despite predictions that a year-long surge of global heat might soon begin to wane, the past seven days alone saw billions feel heat with climate change-fueled intensity.
  • Deception (5%)
    The article makes several statements that are emotionally manipulative and sensational. The title itself is sensational and misleading, as it implies that the heat waves mentioned in the article are exclusively climate-fueled, when in fact some of them may have occurred naturally. The authors also use emotional language to describe the suffering caused by the heat waves, such as 'dozens of bodies were discovered' and 'hundreds perished'. These statements are intended to elicit an emotional response from readers and create a sense of urgency around the issue of climate change. Additionally, the article makes selective use of data to support its argument that human-caused global warming is causing more frequent and intense heat waves. For example, it states that 'billions felt heat with climate change-fueled intensity that broke more than 1,000 temperature records around the globe', but it does not provide any evidence to support this claim beyond anecdotal examples. The article also makes several statements that are not directly related to the deception at hand, such as 'scientists had expected this summer might be somewhat cooler than 2023' and 'the latest El Niño was not in the same league as the supercharged pattern of 2015-2016'. These statements are included to provide context, but they do not add to the argument that the article is making about deception in news reporting.
    • People will die because of global warming on this very day.
    • It should be obvious that dangerous climate change is already upon us.
    • Dozens of bodies were discovered in Delhi during a two-day stretch this week when even sundown brought no relief from sweltering heat and humidity.
    • Hundreds of pilgrims perished before they could reach Islam’s holiest site, struck down by temperatures as high as 125 degrees.
  • Fallacies (75%)
    The article provides clear evidence of the impact of climate change on heat waves around the world, including specific examples of suffering and death caused by extreme heat. The authors do not make any logical fallacies in their reporting.
    • Dozens of bodies were discovered in Delhi during a two-day stretch this week when even sundown brought no relief from sweltering heat and humidity.
    • The suffering came despite predictions that a year-long surge of global heat might soon begin to wane.
    • What is obvious: The way humans have caused baseline temperatures to surge.
  • Bias (75%)
    The authors express a clear bias towards attributing extreme weather events to human-caused climate change. They repeatedly state that the heat waves and other extreme weather events are 'climate change-fueled' or 'human-caused'. This is an example of ideological bias as they are advocating for a specific perspective on climate change without providing any counterarguments or acknowledging alternative viewpoints.
    • Climate change isn’t just making high temperatures and other extreme events more likely, Wehner said. It also makes every disaster that does occur more intense.
      • Nearly half that number experienced what Climate Central considers ‘exceptional heat’ – conditions that would have been rare or even impossible in a world without climate change.
        • The suffering came despite predictions that a year-long surge of global heat might soon begin to wane. Instead, in the past seven days alone, billions felt heat with climate change-fueled intensity that broke more than 1,000 temperature records around the globe.
        • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication
        • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication

        95%

        • Unique Points
          • A plane was stranded without air conditioning during the heatwave.
          • Temperatures in Saudi Arabia soared above 50°C causing at least 550 deaths during Hajj pilgrimage.
        • Accuracy
          • Northern hemisphere is experiencing extreme heat.
          • Dozens of bodies were discovered in Delhi amid a two-day stretch when even sundown brought no relief from sweltering heat and humidity.
          • Hundreds of pilgrims perished before they could reach Islam’s holiest site, struck down by temperatures as high as 125 degrees.
        • Deception (100%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication
        • Fallacies (100%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication
        • Bias (100%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication
        • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication
        • Author Conflicts Of Interest (0%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication

        95%

        • Unique Points
          • Approximately 100 million Americans are experiencing a heat wave this week.
          • Dozens of cities in Mexico broke heat records in May and June, resulting in over 100 deaths.
          • India has been under an extended heat wave that killed several election workers.
        • Accuracy
          • Billions of people have experienced heat with climate change-fueled intensity in recent days, breaking over 1000 temperature records globally.
          • Dozens of bodies were discovered in Delhi amid a two-day stretch when even sundown brought no relief from sweltering heat and humidity.
          • Hundreds of pilgrims perished before they could reach Islam’s holiest site, struck down by temperatures as high as 125 degrees.
          • The mercury surged in Greece, leading to the deaths or disappearance of tourists.
        • Deception (100%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication
        • Fallacies (95%)
          The author makes several statements that are factual and do not contain any fallacies. However, there are a few instances where the author uses inflammatory rhetoric to appeal to emotions and create a sense of urgency. For example, she describes the heat waves as 'harrowing reminders' and 'dangers.' While these statements may be true, they also have an emotional impact on readers that could potentially sway their opinions. Additionally, the author quotes statistics from reputable sources to support her claims about the impact of extreme weather on human health and agriculture. However, she does not commit any formal or informal fallacies in her own assertions.
          • ]People all over the world are facing severe heat, floods and fire, aggravated by the use of fossil fuels.[
          • Extreme heat killed an estimated 489,000 people annually between 2000 and 2019.
          • Climate change may also drive food and water shortages and in turn civil unrest, and mass migration.
        • Bias (100%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication
        • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication
        • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication

        93%

        • Unique Points
          • A heat dome, caused by a high-pressure system in the Earth’s upper atmosphere, is currently affecting a broad swath of the Midwest and eastern US.
          • The Biden administration is proposing new protections for old-growth forests but not blocking all logging of carbon-storing plants.
        • Accuracy
          • Every summer there are heat waves, but they are becoming more extreme, frequent, and lasting longer.
          • Climate change is a significant factor contributing to the current extreme heat wave.
          • El Niño has also been a factor in the recent extreme temperatures.
        • Deception (100%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication
        • Fallacies (95%)
          The article contains an appeal to authority fallacy when quoting Jonathan Overpeck's statements about the extreme temperatures being a sign of what's to come and attributing much of this summer's extreme heat to climate change. However, no explicit logical fallacies were found in the author's assertions.
          • “Every summer we get heat waves, and heat waves are getting more extreme and they’re getting more frequent and they’re lasting longer,”
          • “If it starts cooling off, [and] it hasn’t started to do that yet, we can ascribe [these] more unusual temperatures to the El Niño. If it keeps rocketing up, we’ll have to think about why climate change [is] accelerating.”
        • Bias (100%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication
        • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication
        • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication

        95%

        • Unique Points
          • An organization in Columbus, Ohio, is preparing for their workers by providing frozen towels and cold water.
          • Toledo, Ohio canceled a weekly fitness event and a neighboring suburb called off a street fair due to the heat.
          • A food bank in upstate New York canceled deliveries out of concern for its staff and volunteers.
          • Schools in New York have cancelled field trips to the Rosamond Gifford Zoo due to the heat.
        • Accuracy
          • Tens of millions of people in the US are experiencing extreme heat waves.
          • Heat alerts have been issued from Iowa to Michigan.
          • The dangerous heat wave is expected to last until at least Friday and make its way across the country.
        • Deception (100%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication
        • Fallacies (100%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication
        • Bias (100%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication
        • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication
        • Author Conflicts Of Interest (0%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication