酷热现象可能与气候变化有关

AS IT IS 2015-07-12 Intense Heat May Be Linked to Climate Change 酷热现象可能与气候变化有关

A massive¹ heat wave is killing² people in many countries around the world.

Victims need water and other cooling measures. Untreated heat stroke can lead to organ failure and death. Those who survive can suffer permanent damage.

Deadly heat in Pakistan and India

A heat wave in Pakistan will join this year's heat wave in India as one of the 10 deadliest in world history. Extreme heat has killed more than 1,500 people in Pakistan. High temperatures a few months ago in India killed nearly 2,200 people. Temperatures in areas of India and Pakistan have reached as high as 47 degrees Celsius³.

For Pakistan, seasonal⁴ rains are expected to begin in the middle of this month which will cause temperatures to drop. The country should be free of the very hot weather that hit recently.

But Europe does not have a similar rainy season to help break the extreme heat. Millions there may continue to suffer temperatures as high as 40 degrees Celsius. The heat wave there began June 27.

Experts say extreme heat will continue in Europe

The World Meteorological Organization says it does not expect an immediate⁵ end to the extreme heat. It says extremely high temperatures and dry weather conditions will continue in many parts of Europe.

Clare Nullis is an official with World Meteorological Organization. She says many people are comparing the current heat wave in Europe to that in 2003. That heat wave killed tens of thousands of people. But, she says this latest heatwave began much earlier in the summer season. It is also affecting a much wider area.

However, she also says Europe is much better prepared to deal with the heat wave than it was in 2003.

Are humans to blame?

Omar Baddour is a climate expert at the World Meteorological Organization. He says it is too early to link the current heat waves to man-made climate change.

Mr. Baddour says scientists need to make computer models of the heat wave after it ends.  He says the model will be created from information including affected⁶ areas, temperatures, the start and end dates and duration of the heat wave. The model will help scientists investigate the cause or causes of the extreme weather.

However, Mr. Baddour says the frequency and the intensity⁷ of heat waves seem to fit climate change predictions.

Many parts of the western United States are also suffering from high temperatures and extremely dry conditions. The WMO warns that the states of California, Washington and Oregon are at increasing risk of wildfires as the drought continues. The WMO says Canada is also preparing for severe wildfires.

Extreme heat is also affecting southwestern and southeastern China.

Recent temperatures there have risen above 35 degrees Celsius.  

Words in This Story

massive – adj. very severe

duration – n. the length of time that something exists or lasts

frequency – n. the number of times that something happens during a particular period

drought – n. a long period of time during which there is very little or no rain

1 massive   

adj.巨大的，大规模的，大量的，大范围的

参考例句：

• A massive sea search has failed to find any survivors.经过大规模的海上搜救仍未找到幸存者。
• He drank a massive amount of alcohol.他喝了大量的烈酒。

2 killing   

n.巨额利润；突然赚大钱，发大财

参考例句：

• Investors are set to make a killing from the sell-off.投资者准备清仓以便大赚一笔。
• Last week my brother made a killing on Wall Street.上个周我兄弟在华尔街赚了一大笔。

3 Celsius   

adj.摄氏温度计的，摄氏的

参考例句：

• The temperature tonight will fall to seven degrees Celsius.今晚气温将下降到七摄氏度。
• The maximum temperature in July may be 36 degrees Celsius.七月份最高温度可能达到36摄氏度。

4 seasonal   

adj.季节的，季节性的

参考例句：

• The town relies on the seasonal tourist industry for jobs.这个城镇依靠季节性旅游业提供就业机会。
• The hors d'oeuvre is seasonal vegetables.餐前小吃是应时蔬菜。

5 immediate   

adj.立即的；直接的，最接近的；紧靠的

参考例句：

• His immediate neighbours felt it their duty to call.他的近邻认为他们有责任去拜访。
• We declared ourselves for the immediate convocation of the meeting.我们主张立即召开这个会议。

6 affected   

adj.不自然的，假装的

参考例句：

• She showed an affected interest in our subject.她假装对我们的课题感到兴趣。
• His manners are affected.他的态度不自然。

7 intensity   

n.强烈，剧烈；强度；烈度

参考例句：

• I didn't realize the intensity of people's feelings on this issue.我没有意识到这一问题能引起群情激奋。
• The strike is growing in intensity.罢工日益加剧。