The unprecedented heatwave that recently swept across Europe with record high temperatures is just that, unprecedented. As a manifestation of climate change it's a stark reminder that average global air temperatures have already increased by around 1℃ since the 1900s. Over half of this increase has occurred since the 1970s alone, according to the UK's Royal Society. With Spain, Portugal, France, and Italy baking and even the UK recording temperatures of more than 40℃, the conditions have seen wildfires running amok throughout Europe. Sadly, this isn't even the first heatwave recorded this year. India and Pakistan have already seen record-breaking temperatures of close to 50℃ and much of the Southwestern USA is in dire straits with high temperatures, long-standing drought conditions and raging wildfires sweeping the country. The really sad truth is that when we hit record-breaking temperatures today, they are extremely unlikely to last much past the following summer before the records are smashed once more. Despite decades of warnings, it seems that in just a few short years we have gone from climate concern to climate catastrophe.
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