Geography

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Will Extreme Heatwaves Become the New Norm?

Geoff Riley

7th August 2018

Here are some resources analysing the causes and impact of the heatwaves experienced in many parts of the world this summer.

Wildfires swept across Saddleworth Moor, Winter Hill and Scout Road in the UK

Parts of Spain and Portugal are more than 46℃ – here’s what is going on (The Conversation)

Climate change: 'Hothouse Earth' risks even if CO2 emissions slashed (BBC News)

New paper warning that domino-effect of #climate events could move Earth into a ‘hothouse’ state "aims to raise questions rather than prove a theory", says @mjsiegert. "It’s rather selective, but not outlandish" | via @jonathanwatts https://t.co/cg9lLPiRA6 pic.twitter.com/ducWE8dCh1
— Grantham Institute Imperial (@Grantham_IC) August 7, 2018

"Cascade of melting ice, warming seas & dying forests could tilt the Earth into a 'hothouse' state", says new paper. Listen out for @mjsiegert speaking @VictoriaLIVE this morning about the paper, which "raises questions rather than proves a theory" https://t.co/6G1eEJBXuy pic.twitter.com/9qrpaEMAjz
— Grantham Institute Imperial (@Grantham_IC) August 7, 2018

A roundup of Imperial experts' views on #Heatwave2018 https://t.co/nYuGrnqDfX
Thanks to @Grantham_IC institute for #climatechange
— Caroline Brogan 🌻 (@CaroBrogan) August 7, 2018

46℃ in parts of Spain and Portugal – how long before such extreme heatwaves become the 'new norm' across the region? https://t.co/aWGwcpIu5S
— The Conversation (@ConversationUK) August 7, 2018

This is scary stuff. But, unlike some headlines suggest, it is still hypothetical. We can come together and make a change for the good of our planet by keeping global warming to 1.5 degrees. #climatechange https://t.co/5zeOS6Gkfg
— Greenpeace International (@Greenpeace) August 7, 2018

Tuesday briefing: Are we headed for 'hothouse' Earth? https://t.co/H5X0Z44rtU
— The Guardian (@guardian) August 7, 2018

"We really need to take action straight away. If we don't do anything, the 2 degree threshold will be passed in 2030/2040. The govt is distracted at the moment, but it needs to focus on this"
Prof Joanna Haigh speaks to @BBCNews https://t.co/pDkasfMTnf pic.twitter.com/IgiiKZpfKF
— Grantham Institute Imperial (@Grantham_IC) August 7, 2018

It’s a shame that humans haven’t evolved to focus seriously on anything beyond one or two lifespans https://t.co/1mXaTG2GAq
— Laurence Tribe 🇺🇦 ⚖️ (@tribelaw) August 7, 2018

Geoff Riley FRSA has been teaching Economics for over thirty years. He has over twenty years experience as Head of Economics at leading schools. He writes extensively and is a contributor and presenter on CPD conferences in the UK and overseas.

@tutor2uGeoff