“Study Reveals Fossil Energy as Key Factor Behind Climate-Driven Heatwaves” – The Times of India

Fossil fuel and cement companies have played a significant role in the growing intensity of heatwaves caused by climate change. A recent study in Nature examined over 200 heatwaves from 2000 to 2023, uncovering the crucial impact of major polluters like Saudi Aramco, Gazprom, and BP.

The study showed that emissions from just 180 of these companies contributed to half of the increased intensity of heatwaves since the pre-industrial era. This means that the output from these firms has literally created conditions for heatwaves that would have been nearly impossible to witness without climate change. As Yann Quilcaille from ETH Zurich noted, each company has the ability to influence heatwaves on a large scale.

Heatwaves have become much more probable due to climate change. Researchers found that between 2000 and 2009, climate change made heatwaves around 20 times more likely; from 2010 to 2019, that number jumped to 200 times. Among the 213 heatwaves studied, 55 of them were at least 10,000 times more likely due to human-induced global warming.

Pascal Yiou from France’s Laboratory for Climate and Environmental Sciences said the findings represent the current understanding of how heatwaves are attributed to climate change. Notably, these insights could strengthen legal cases against major polluters.

In one such case, a Peruvian farmer sued RWE, a German energy company, claiming it was responsible for the glacier melting near his home. While a German court dismissed the case, it recognized the principle of global corporate responsibility for climate harm.

Experts believe this study is a significant step forward in climate litigation. Karsten Haustein from the University of Leipzig emphasized that no amount of denial will erase the increasing risks from climate change.

This research doesn’t just shine a light on the contributors to climate change; it also encourages accountability. With growing awareness, individuals and communities are increasingly reacting against big polluters on social media, calling for change and responsible practices.

Understanding these connections can help us see the urgency of addressing climate change. As temperatures rise, so do the stakes for our planet and future generations. The lesson here is clear: tackling emissions from large companies is vital for reducing the risk and severity of climate-related disasters like heatwaves. You can read more about this study in Nature here.

Source link

climate change,fossil energy,heatwaves,global warming,climate litigation,carbon emissions,extreme weather events,pollution sources,oil gas coal cement,climate responsibility