A massive heat wave is impacting Europe. Temperatures are reaching record levels in multiple cities. As a result, the infrastructure in these cities is starting to collapse. Thousands of people have been hospitalized due to the negative health repercussions from the heat wave. Although government officials are trying to help people, dozens of people have already died. Older adults are the most susceptible to dying from a heat wave. Government officials have warned people to stay indoors and to drink plenty of water. Most scientists agree that the latest heat wave is due to climate change.
Heat Wave
The latest heat wave started a few weeks ago. At the time, few people thought it would last more than several days. However, temperatures have remained at record highs for weeks. Cities that are typically cool during this time of year now have scorching heat. In some countries, many homes are not equipped with professional HVAC systems. It is nearly impossible to cool a home without an HVAC system during a heat wave.
Response
In response to this environmental issue, many people have asked the government to provide financial support. Supplies of bottled water are already running out in some major cities. If the temperature does not drop, many more people will die from the weather. Some government officials have used this natural disaster as an opportunity to discuss climate change. These politicians hope that people will see the need to act quickly to prevent further damage to the planet.
Cost
Some financial analysts believe this environmental disaster could end up costing billions of dollars. Not only are people taking off from work, but thousands of people are spending days in the hospital trying to recover. Some politicians have proposed a tax on all income to help combat climate change. Although most citizens believe that climate change is a threat, few people are willing to pay money to address the issue.
