ncreased use of air conditioning during heat waves can put additional strain on electrical
grids.[91][92] In the United States, air conditioning can account for more than 70% of the peak
residential demand for electricity on extremely hot days in some states; under the warming
projected due to human-induced climate change, the demand for air conditioning could
increase significantly.[91] The combination of lowered output from power plants and increased
demand for cooling, most commonly air conditioning, can reduce the reliability of the
electrical system, often resulting in blackouts or brownouts.[90]
During the 2006 North American heat wave, parts of California were without power from
hours to days when infrastructure failed, such as when electrical transformers in northern
California caught fire due to inadequate cooling.[93] In Los Angeles, electrical transformers
also failed, leaving thousands without power for as long as five days.[94] The early 2009
southeastern Australia heat wave caused major power disruptions in the city of Melbourne.
They left over half a million people without power as the heat wave blew transformers and
overloaded a power grid.
Impacts on the environment
edit
Wildfires
edit
A heat wave occurring during a drought can contribute to bushfires and wildfires. This is
because a drought dries out vegetation, so it is more likely to catch fire. During the
disastrous heat wave that struck Europe in 2003, fires raged through Portugal. They
destroyed over 3,010 square kilometres (1,160 sq mi) of forest and 440 square kilometres
(170 sq mi) of agricultural land. They caused about €1 billion worth of damage.[95] High
end farmlands have irrigation systems to back up crops.
Floods
edit
Heat waves can also contribute to flooding. Because hot air is able to carry more moisture,
heatwaves may be followed by extreme rainfall especially in mid-latitude regions.[96] For
example, the record-breaking heat wave that afflicted Pakistan beginning in May 2022 led to
glacier melt and moisture flow. These were factors in the devastating floods that began in
June and claimed over 1,100 lives.[97]
Wild animals on land
edit
Researchers have predicted that roughly 10–40% of all land vertebrate species will be
affected by heat waves by 2099, depending on the amount of future greenhouse gas
emissions.[98] Heatwaves present an additional form of stress and evolutionary pressure for
species that already deal with habitat loss and climate change.
Species have a thermal range of tolerance that describes the temperatures where they
perform best. Temperature conditions that are outside of this range may experience
decreased fitness and the inability to reproduce.[99][100] The species with sufficient genetic
variation will be able to ensure some individuals can survive frequent days of high
temperatures in the future.[101]
Oceans
edit
Marine heatwaves may cause mass mortality in fish populations, especially for species that
are better adapted to cooler temperatures.[102] Species that have adapted to warmer
temperatures may expand their range during a heatwave. These invasive species may
outcompete the native species that experience higher mortality during a heatwave, which
disrupts ecosystem functioning.[102] Marine heatwaves have also been correlated with
negative impacts on foundation species such as coral and kelp.[103]
Adaptations
edit
Wind towers and domes form part of the skyline of Yazd
The countries expected to experience the highest temperatures in the future are also some
of the poorest, with major portions of the overall populations lacking access to electricity
and therefore a means for cooling. Climate change as well as growth expected over coming
decades in countries such as India make a significant rise in the global and regional
demands for air conditioning more likely. As of 2022, global distribution of air-conditioning
units is skewed significantly towards wealthier countries. While installed air-conditioning
units are expected to roughly double in the United States, China and European Union over
the coming decades, the estimates for India are an order of magnitude larger, reflecting the
growing middle class as well as the increasing need for cooling under anthropogenic
climate change.[citation needed] Opinion polls found air conditioning tends to be the preferred
adaptation method to heat.[10
ncreased use of air conditioning during heat waves can put additional strain on electrical
grids.[91][92] In the United States, air conditioning can account for more than 70% of the peak
residential demand for electricity on extremely hot days in some states; under the warming
projected due to human-induced climate change, the demand for air conditioning could
increase significantly.[91] The combination of lowered output from power plants and increased
demand for cooling, most commonly air conditioning, can reduce the reliability of the
electrical system, often resulting in blackouts or brownouts.[90]
During the 2006 North American heat wave, parts of California were without power from
hours to days when infrastructure failed, such as when electrical transformers in northern
California caught fire due to inadequate cooling.[93] In Los Angeles, electrical transformers
also failed, leaving thousands without power for as long as five days.[94] The early 2009
southeastern Australia heat wave caused major power disruptions in the city of Melbourne.
They left over half a million people without power as the heat wave blew transformers and
overloaded a power grid.
Impacts on the environment
edit
Wildfires
edit
A heat wave occurring during a drought can contribute to bushfires and wildfires. This is
because a drought dries out vegetation, so it is more likely to catch fire. During the
disastrous heat wave that struck Europe in 2003, fires raged through Portugal. They
destroyed over 3,010 square kilometres (1,160 sq mi) of forest and 440 square kilometres
(170 sq mi) of agricultural land. They caused about €1 billion worth of damage.[95] High
end farmlands have irrigation systems to back up crops.
Floods
edit
Heat waves can also contribute to flooding. Because hot air is able to carry more moisture,
heatwaves may be followed by extreme rainfall especially in mid-latitude regions.[96] For
example, the record-breaking heat wave that afflicted Pakistan beginning in May 2022 led to
glacier melt and moisture flow. These were factors in the devastating floods that began in
June and claimed over 1,100 lives.[97]
Wild animals on land
edit
Researchers have predicted that roughly 10–40% of all land vertebrate species will be
affected by heat waves by 2099, depending on the amount of future greenhouse gas
emissions.[98] Heatwaves present an additional form of stress and evolutionary pressure for
species that already deal with habitat loss and climate change.
Species have a thermal range of tolerance that describes the temperatures where they
perform best. Temperature conditions that are outside of this range may experience
decreased fitness and the inability to reproduce.[99][100] The species with sufficient genetic
variation will be able to ensure some individuals can survive frequent days of high
temperatures in the future.[101]
Oceans
edit
Marine heatwaves may cause mass mortality in fish populations, especially for species that
are better adapted to cooler temperatures.[102] Species that have adapted to warmer
temperatures may expand their range during a heatwave. These invasive species may
outcompete the native species that experience higher mortality during a heatwave, which
disrupts ecosystem functioning.[102] Marine heatwaves have also been correlated with
negative impacts on foundation species such as coral and kelp.[103]
Adaptations
edit
Wind towers and domes form part of the skyline of Yazd
The countries expected to experience the highest temperatures in the future are also some
of the poorest, with major portions of the overall populations lacking access to electricity
and therefore a means for cooling. Climate change as well as growth expected over coming
decades in countries such as India make a significant rise in the global and regional
demands for air conditioning more likely. As of 2022, global distribution of air-conditioning
units is skewed significantly towards wealthier countries. While installed air-conditioning
units are expected to roughly double in the United States, China and European Union over
the coming decades, the estimates for India are an order of magnitude larger, reflecting the
growing middle class as well as the increasing need for cooling under anthropogenic
climate change.[citation needed] Opinion polls found air conditioning tends to be the preferred
adaptation method to heat.[10
ncreased use of air conditioning during heat waves can put additional strain on electrical
grids.[91][92] In the United States, air conditioning can account for more than 70% of the peak
residential demand for electricity on extremely hot days in some states; under the warming
projected due to human-induced climate change, the demand for air conditioning could
increase significantly.[91] The combination of lowered output from power plants and increased
demand for cooling, most commonly air conditioning, can reduce the reliability of the
electrical system, often resulting in blackouts or brownouts.[90]
During the 2006 North American heat wave, parts of California were without power from
hours to days when infrastructure failed, such as when electrical transformers in northern
California caught fire due to inadequate cooling.[93] In Los Angeles, electrical transformers
also failed, leaving thousands without power for as long as five days.[94] The early 2009
southeastern Australia heat wave caused major power disruptions in the city of Melbourne.
They left over half a million people without power as the heat wave blew transformers and
overloaded a power grid.
Impacts on the environment
edit
Wildfires
edit
A heat wave occurring during a drought can contribute to bushfires and wildfires. This is
because a drought dries out vegetation, so it is more likely to catch fire. During the
disastrous heat wave that struck Europe in 2003, fires raged through Portugal. They
destroyed over 3,010 square kilometres (1,160 sq mi) of forest and 440 square kilometres
(170 sq mi) of agricultural land. They caused about €1 billion worth of damage.[95] High
end farmlands have irrigation systems to back up crops.
Floods
edit
Heat waves can also contribute to flooding. Because hot air is able to carry more moisture,
heatwaves may be followed by extreme rainfall especially in mid-latitude regions.[96] For
example, the record-breaking heat wave that afflicted Pakistan beginning in May 2022 led to
glacier melt and moisture flow. These were factors in the devastating floods that began in
June and claimed over 1,100 lives.[97]
Wild animals on land
edit
Researchers have predicted that roughly 10–40% of all land vertebrate species will be
affected by heat waves by 2099, depending on the amount of future greenhouse gas
emissions.[98] Heatwaves present an additional form of stress and evolutionary pressure for
species that already deal with habitat loss and climate change.
Species have a thermal range of tolerance that describes the temperatures where they
perform best. Temperature conditions that are outside of this range may experience
decreased fitness and the inability to reproduce.[99][100] The species with sufficient genetic
variation will be able to ensure some individuals can survive frequent days of high
temperatures in the future.[101]
Oceans
edit
Marine heatwaves may cause mass mortality in fish populations, especially for species that
are better adapted to cooler temperatures.[102] Species that have adapted to warmer
temperatures may expand their range during a heatwave. These invasive species may
outcompete the native species that experience higher mortality during a heatwave, which
disrupts ecosystem functioning.[102] Marine heatwaves have also been correlated with
negative impacts on foundation species such as coral and kelp.[103]
Adaptations
edit
Wind towers and domes form part of the skyline of Yazd
The countries expected to experience the highest temperatures in the future are also some
of the poorest, with major portions of the overall populations lacking access to electricity
and therefore a means for cooling. Climate change as well as growth expected over coming
decades in countries such as India make a significant rise in the global and regional
demands for air conditioning more likely. As of 2022, global distribution of air-conditioning
units is skewed significantly towards wealthier countries. While installed air-conditioning
units are expected to roughly double in the United States, China and European Union over
the coming decades, the estimates for India are an order of magnitude larger, reflecting the
growing middle class as well as the increasing need for cooling under anthropogenic
climate change.[citation needed] Opinion polls found air conditioning tends to be the preferred
adaptation method to heat.[10