蜜芽传媒

Japan is sweltering under the hottest day yet of its worst heatwave since records began in 1875. The blistering heat has drawn official warnings of a looming power shortage, and led to calls for people to conserve energy where possible. But the government is still advising people to use air conditioning to avoid heatstroke as cases of hospitalisation rise with the heat. Weather officials warn the heat is likely to continue in the coming days. Heatwaves have become more frequent, more intense, and last longer because of human-induced climate change.

Dr Winston Chow, Associate Professor with a particular focus on Urban Vulnerability to Climate Change, says the heatwaves are happening because of human-caused climate and are also being seen across Asia, Europe, United States. He thinks it's likely that seasons will continue to become more disrupted, with earlier springs and later autumns - as seen in the fact that although this is traditionally the rainy season in Japan, that has finished earlier than expected. He advises residents to minimise their exposure to heat during the day and night, and for urban planners to create more shaded areas and green spaces in cities to cool down temperatures.

"Global warming and the additional energy being pumped into the climate system from greenhouse gas emissions are like steroids to naturally occurring heatwaves"

Photo: A woman uses a portable fan, Tokyo, June 29 2022 Credit Reuters

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