Dear editor,

This summer the northern hemisphere experienced heatwaves and record high temperatures.  In Japan, a new high temperature record of 105°F was set in July. A record high temperature in Algeria was 124°F also in July. In Oman on the Arabian peninsula, the lowest temperature recorded on June 26 was 108°F. In Kevo, Finland. the temperature was 92°F in July. During a heat wave in Quebec, Canada, the temperature reached 96°F in July. In Athens, Greece, it was 100°F on July 24 while deadly wildfires raged nearby. At Furnace Creek in Death Valley, California, it was 125°F.  Both Burbank, California, and Waco, Texas, set new record high temperatures of 114°F in July. Elena Manaenkova Deputy Secretary-General of the World Meteorological Organization commenting on this heat said, “The heatwaves and extreme heat we are experiencing are consistent with what we expect as a result of climate change caused by greenhouse gas emissions.”

We release greenhouse gases (carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide) into the atmosphere. These gases capture heat and prevent it from leaving for outer space. As long as our activities emit greenhouse gases, global warming will continue. Releasing greenhouse gases into the atmosphere not only harms everyone living today, but also greatly injures future generations.

For scientific information on climate change, please see the Fourth National Climate Assessment entitled Climate Change Special Report (USGCRP, 2017). This report was written by climate scientists from NOAA and NASA and is available online at:  https://science2017.globalchange.gov/

Sincerely,

Bruce Krawisz, M.D.
Marshfield, Wisconsin