"Newspaper reports describe temperatures in Bourke reaching 48.9
degrees Celsius on three occasions, and the maximum temperature
remaining above 38C for 24 consecutive days.
As Australia endures a series of intense and record-breaking heatwaves
this summer, the 1896 event is sometimes viewed as evidence that
Australia has always experienced extraordinary heat, and that the
effects of climate change are overblown.
But climate scientists
say that is an oversimplification, and the heatwaves we experience today
are significantly hotter than those in the past."
"The temperature recording methods used in 1896 were flawed
Methods
of recording temperature were not standardised until the early 1900s,
leading to inflated temperature readings before then.
The global
standard for temperature measurement includes the use of a Stevenson
screen, which is a white louvred box allowing ventilation and ensuring
thermometers inside are never exposed to the sun.
A Stevenson
screen was not installed in Bourke until August 1908, meaning
temperature readings from before that could be inflated by as much as
2C.
University of Melbourne climate researcher Linden Ashcroft
said thermometers in Bourke were likely placed in sub-standard
conditions in 1896.
"Some thermometers were under verandahs, or they were against stone buildings," she said."
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"From power cuts to infrastructure failure, the impact of climate change
on US cities will be huge – but many are already innovating to adapt."
"Deaths. According to the Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention, an average of 658 people die every year from
heat-related causes. From 1999 to 2010, 8,081 heat-related deaths were
reported in the United States and occurred more commonly among older,
younger and poorer populations. Urban heat islands retain heat
overnight, preventing people from sleeping well and leading to even more
health problems, says Lucy Hutyra, an associate professor of earth and
environment at Boston University. Air pollution is often worst on hot
days, and when people leave windows open for air flow, the quality of
the air can cause respiratory problems. Warmer, moister conditions also
mean that heavy rainfall and subsequent flooding is on the rise; so far
this year 78 people have died as a result, according to the National
Weather Service."
"Economic Impact. According to a 2018 study by Texas
A&M University: “The growing number of extreme rainfall events that
produce intense precipitation are resulting in –and will continue to
result in – increased urban flooding unless steps are taken to mitigate
their impacts.” The 2017 National Climate Assessment concluded: “Heavy
downpours are increasing nationally, especially over the last three to
five decades …[and that] … increases in the frequency and intensity of
extreme precipitation events are projected for all U.S. regions.”
Between 2007 and 2011 alone, urban flooding in Cook County, Illinois,
resulted in over 176,000 claims or flood losses at a cost of $660m
(£545m)."
Read complete The Guardian story
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