In keeping with a trend
Europe is getting it in the neck.
Scientists say the persistent extreme heat already this year is in keeping with a trend. Heat waves in Europe, they say, are increasing in frequency and intensity at a faster rate than almost any other part of the planet, including the Western United States.
Global warming plays a role, as it does in heat waves around the world, because temperatures are on average about 2 degrees Fahrenheit (1.1 degrees Celsius) higher than they were in the late 19th century, before emissions of carbon dioxide and other heat-trapping gases became widespread. So extreme heat takes off from a higher starting point.
But beyond that, there are other factors, some involving the circulation of the atmosphere and the ocean, that may make Europe a heat wave hot spot.
It has to do with changes in the jet stream, and maybe with faster warming in the Arctic, and maybe changes in a major ocean current. Also, the first heat wave is the parent to more of them.
As in other parts of the world, a heat wave in Europe can make it more likely for others to occur in the same area, because a period of extreme heat dries out the soil.
When there is some moisture in the soil, some of the sun’s energy is used in evaporating the water, leading to a slight cooling effect. But when one heat wave wipes out almost all the soil moisture, there is little left to evaporate when the next wave of hot air arrives. So more of the sun’s energy bakes the surface, adding to the heat.
Bad and getting worse and will continue getting worse. We’re the egg slowly frying.
And in response Europe declares gas To be a “green fuel.”
https://www.cnbc.com/2022/07/06/europe-natural-gas-nuclear-are-green-energy-in-some-circumstances-.html
Because the anti-nuclear crowd needs gas to keep the lights on when solar & wind isn’t generating much. So it was a compromise to allow the sensible thing of using nuclear with negligible CO2 emissions.
Gas *does* put out about half as much CO2 as coal for the amount of energy produced. Should it be considered half-green?
Not to fear: some climate models are starting to predict that the Gulf Stream will be disrupted and cease bringing warm waters to northern Europe and the UK, meaning drastically colder winters there (among other things)!