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France to see scorching summers due to global warming mongabay.com June 14, 2007
Of nations covered by the study, France would experience greatest increase in extreme high-temperature days should current rates of greenhouse gas emissions continue. In 2003 15,000 French died in an "extraordinary" heat wave. "Rare events today, like the 2003 heat wave in Europe, become much more common as greenhouse gas concentrations increase," said lead author Noah S. Diffenbaugh of Purdue University. Indeed, they "become the norm and the extreme events of the future are unprecedented in their severity."
"One might expect that an average warming of four degrees would equate to each day warming by four degrees, but in fact the hottest days warm quite a bit more," explained Diffenbaugh. The researchers note the reduced emissions of greenhouse gases could dramatically diminish the number of extreme temperature days. "Decreases in greenhouse gas emissions greatly reduce the impact, " Diffenbaugh said.
The areas most likely to face substantial increases in dangerous heat index are concentrated near the Mediterranean coast. "This is the first time this amplification signal over coastal areas could be seen and quantified," says co-author Filippo Giorgi of the International Centre for Theoretical Physics in Trieste, Italy. "Coastal regions are particularly vulnerable because they will likely be affected by other important climate change related stresses, such as a rising sea level." Comments? News options
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