A man holds an umbrella while standing on the banks of swollen river Satluj after heavy monsoon rains in Rampur, in India's Himachal Pradesh state. © AFP via Getty Images© AFP via Getty Images
A man holds an umbrella while standing on the banks of swollen river Satluj after heavy monsoon rains in Rampur, in India’s Himachal Pradesh state. © AFP via Getty Images

We are in the middle of an extreme climate mess. This is what scientists warned us about for the last 50 years. 

Our oceans are warming up and changing their colour due to climate change. Summers are getting hotter and hotter in many parts of the world, with temperatures reaching as high as 45C in many parts of the world. And the increasingly dry conditions have fueled wildfire outbreaks in countries like Canada.

Furthermore, global warming has created a warmer atmosphere which holds more moisture which in turn creates more deadly downpours. This high level of precipitation has led to floods and landslides, which recently impacted thousands of people across the globe including Japan, India, the USA and Brazil. We all witnessed the horrific devastation in Pakistan last year when one-third of the country was submerged underwater. 

And there’s more! July also recorded the hottest-ever temperature since records began. Just to make matters worse, this is an El Niño year. El Niño (El Niño–Southern Oscillation, or ENSO) is the hot phase of a natural fluctuation in the Earth’s climate system.

Last year, China experienced a record-breaking heat wave, resulting in drought and disruption of power supply. This year’s heatwave arrived even earlier, resulting in a longer record-breaking heatwave threatening the country’s food security. 

Unfortunately, all of this is just a sneak peek at the current situation across the world. There will be more extreme weather events as the summer months continue.

Floods in North India

Last week we saw some dreadful visuals of flash floods washing away everything on their way. Most rivers are overflowing, and thousands are still stranded in the hills. About 40 people have died so far.

Heatwave in China

China is experiencing its second year of extreme heatwave. With temperatures crossing 41C in many regions, dependence on air conditioners is ever-increasing.

People shelter from the sun under an umbrella as they arrive to visit the Forbidden City during a heatwave in Beijing on June 24, 2023. Beijing recorded its third consecutive day of 40 degree Celsius weather, the first time since records began. © GREG BAKER/AFP via Getty Images
People shelter from the sun under an umbrella as they arrive to visit the Forbidden City during a heatwave in Beijing on June 24, 2023. Beijing recorded its third consecutive day of 40-degree Celsius weather, the first time since records began. © ANDREJ IVANOV/AFP via Getty Images

USA floods

Torrential rains and flash flooding devastated the Northeast region of the United States, notably the state of Vermont and the Hudson Valley region in New York state. Vermont Governor Phil Scott called the flooding “historic and catastrophic”.

A flooded road is seen on July 10, 2023 in Chester, Vermont. Torrential rain and flooding has affected millions of people from Vermont south to North Carolina. © Scott Eisen/Getty Images
A flooded road is seen on July 10, 2023, in Chester, Vermont. Torrential rain and flooding have affected millions of people from Vermont south to North Carolina. © Scott Eisen/Getty Images

Floods in Japan

Seven people died after southwest Japan’s “heaviest rain ever” triggered floods and landslides. With increased Typhoons and floods in recent years, Japan is facing vulnerability towards climate crises.

Rescue teams gather at the site of a landslide in Karatsu City, Saga prefecture on July 11, 2023, a day after heavy rains hit wide areas of Kyushu island. At least two people were killed in torrential rain in southwest Japan, as tens of thousands of residents were told to evacuate their homes. © KAZUHIRO NOGI/AFP via Getty Images© KAZUHIRO NOGI/AFP via Getty Images
Rescue teams gather at the site of a landslide in Karatsu City, Saga prefecture on July 11, 2023, a day after heavy rains hit wide areas of Kyushu island. At least two people were killed in torrential rain in southwest Japan, as tens of thousands of residents were told to evacuate their homes. © KAZUHIRO NOGI/AFP via Getty Images

Brazil flooding

In Brazil, heavy rains and flooding forced thousands of people from their homes in two states in the Northeast. More than 20,000 people in Alagoas were displaced by this latest severe climate impact.

Canada forest fire

Above-normal temperatures and increasingly dry conditions have fueled wildfire outbreaks across Canada since May, leading to the worst-ever start to the wildfire season. Hundreds of fires are currently burning throughout Canada.

Flooding in Spain

Streets in Spain’s north-eastern city of Zaragoza were flooded on Thursday last week, after a severe storm and torrential downpours. People could be seen clinging to their cars and climbing nearby trees to escape the flood waters before emergency services were able to carry out rescue missions.

About the author
Sudhanshu Malhotra is a Multimedia Editor for Greenpeace International, based in Hong Kong.