Heat wave in the US: What did the UN say about the reasons for these temperatures?
In recent weeks, record high temperatures have been experienced in the US and other parts of the world. This is what the United Nations has said about it.
Record high temperatures have been observed in the United States and other parts of the world in recent weeks. According to the latest report from the European Commission’s Copernicus Climate Change Service, last month was the hottest May in history.
According to the report, the global average surface air temperature was recorded 0.65 °C above the 1991-2020 average, marking the twelfth consecutive month in which the global average temperature reached a record high for the corresponding month.
Speaking on the climate situation that the planet is experiencing, United Nation Secretary General António Guterres warned that “we are at the moment of truth.”
READ ALSO: Staying cool in the heat
US heat wave: What did the UN say about the reasons for these temperatures?
Guterres cited the European Commission report and said, “In the case of climate, we are not the dinosaurs. We are the meteor. We are not only in danger, we are the danger. But we are also the solution.”
The U.N. chief said global emissions must fall by nine percent each year just to maintain the 1.5℃ temperature rise limit above pre-industrial levels. “We are playing Russian roulette with our planet. “We need a freeway exit ramp to climate hell, and the truth is that we have control,” he said.
READ ALSO: The effects of extreme heat and how to protect yourself
The UN on the causes of high temperatures
On the causes of climate change, Guterres said, “The godfathers of climate chaos – the fossil fuel conglomerates – are raking in record profits and basking in trillions in taxpayer-funded subsidies.”
He also noted that many in the oil and gas industry have “blatantly greenwashed” while actively trying to delay climate action, aided and abetted by advertising and public relations firms.
“I call on these companies to stop acting as enablers of planetary destruction. Stop accepting new fossil fuel customers, starting today, and establish plans to abandon existing ones,” said the Secretary General.
How you can prevent heat stroke
Heat is a leading cause of climate-related death in the United States, causing more than a thousand deaths each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).This is why maintaining a body temperature of 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit is crucial.
If the temperature exceeds this, the body has to work harder to maintain it, which can lead to several health problems associated with extreme heat, such as heat stroke. Here are some tips to prevent it.
- Wear light, loose-fitting, light-colored clothing.
- Protect yourself against sunburn.
- Stay hydrated.
- Do not leave anyone in a car parked in the sun.
- Avoid outdoor activity during the hottest hours of the day.
- Take cold showers or baths.
Avoiding heatstroke is crucial because it is a severe and potentially life-threatening condition that occurs when the body overheats. It can cause significant damage to your brain, heart, kidneys, and muscles. The longer treatment is delayed, the worse the damage can be, increasing the risk of serious complications or death.
When you suffer from heatstroke, your body’s core temperature rises to 104°F or higher. Such high temperatures can lead to cellular damage and the malfunctioning of vital organs.