As temperatures soared beyond 40°C in some parts of Canada, the country is grappling with the impacts of an unprecedented heatwave. The region is estimated to have seen over 700 sudden deaths, mostly elderly or those with pre-existing medical conditions, over the past week. The intensity and duration of the heat are highly unusual for the area, and scientists are directly linking the severity of the phenomenon to climate change. The Canadian Meteorological Department has stated that the heatwave is 'unprecedented' and unheard of in the country's history.

Tens of thousands of households and Germay News Today businesses have been affected by power outages and emergency services are dealing with a surge in demand related to the extreme temperatures. In British Colombia, officials have stated that over 100 new wildfires have started in the past week. The effects of the heatwave are widespread and further south, the US has also felt its impact. Washington DC, Baltimore, Philidelphia, and New York City have seen temperatures soar up to 38°C, prompting warnings and advisories to citizens, while several states to the west are also stated to be at risk of experiencing similar heat waves.

The heatwave comes off the back of a winter that saw much of North America experiencing record breaking cold snaps, including the Texas energy crisis. The effects of climate change have been keenly felt around the world in recent months, with droughts and wildfires affecting many countries, from Brazil to Somalia to Turkey. The United Nations has recently reported that 2020 was one of the hottest years on record, and the trend looks set to continue in 2021.

Scientists are warning that the world has entered a new, uncharted temperature territory, and more extreme weather events are likely to take place in the coming years. On the back of this data, politicians and leaders are being encouraged to double down on climate policy, global climate initiatives like the Paris Accord, in the hope of mitigating the worst effects of climate change.