This week marked the apex of an unprecedented hot streak that toppled records and left communities and ecosystems reeling.

Since last July, Earth’s average temperature has been at least 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 degrees Fahrenheit) above preindustrial levels.

As global temperatures spiked to their highest levels in recorded history on Monday, ambulances were screaming through the streets of Tokyo, carrying scores of people who had  collapsed amid an unrelenting heat wave. A monster typhoonwas emerging from the scorching waters of the Pacific Ocean, which were several degrees warmer than normal. Thousands of vacationers fled the idyllic mountain town of Jasper, Canada ahead of a fast-moving wall of wildfire flames.

By the end of the week — which saw the four hottest days ever observed by scientists — dozens had been killed in the raging floodwaters and massive mudslides triggered by Typhoon Gaemi. Half of Jasper was reduced to ash. And about 3.6 billion people around the planet had endured temperatures that would have been exceedingly rare in a world without burning fossil fuels and other human activities, according to an analysis by scientists at the group Climate Central.

These extraordinary global temperatures marked the culmination of an unprecedented global hot streak that has stunned even researchers who spent their whole careers studying climate change.

  • Mycroft@lemm.eeEnglish
    1·
    3 months ago

    In case of politicians, they represent the interest of the people, as the people elects them. If suddenly everyone went off grid to force change they would feel more inclined to make changes in this direction.

    Of course they would lag a bit behind so you would see it immediately but they notice the trends.

    If suddenly the issue that would sway swing state was climate change (because everyone suddenly show they care in their consumption habits), every politician would promise greener policies.

    I agree that this choice implies that one is free to take the greener products, while in reality only the richest are free to choose.

    • Clinicallydepressedpoochie@lemmy.worldEnglish
      1·
      3 months ago

      I’m telling you we have made our interests clear. Short of everyone waking up tomorrow ready to change their entire life style there isn’t anything else the individual can do. We are speaking out. We are limiting our consumption. We are asking for green policies. The climate won’t wait for unification. In order for individuals to act as one they need catalyst and if climate change is already here then it’s already too late.