Heat is one of the clearest signs of the climate crisis. The planet-heating gases pumped out by burning fossil fuels envelop the planet like a blanket, warming the Earth. Scientists are clear that climate change is fueling more extreme heat waves — and Europe is the planet’s fastest-warming continent.

“We know beyond a shadow of a doubt that heat wave events such as this have been made more likely and more severe due to climate change,” said Peter Thorne, director of ICARUS Climate Research Centre at Maynooth University, Ireland. “But nevertheless many of the records being set, particularly in the UK and France, are mind-bogglingly crazy,” he added.

  • BozeKnoflook@lemmy.worldEnglish
    152·
    1 day ago

    After living in the Netherlands for about three years (moved here from the US) I finally gave in and ordered an air conditioner. I was slightly worried about my neighbors judging us for it (it’ll hang out the window, it’s hard to not notice) only to learn that they also bought one that same day.

    All the homes are brick, and are well suited to retaining heat through winter. I only set my thermostat to ~65F for a single room and leave the rest of the apartment unheated and the other rooms average about 50F. In summer though it may peak at 85F outside, but inside it will hit 100F and just stay there for hours even when it’s back down to 65F outside at night.

    Awesome in winter, and an oven in summer.

      • BozeKnoflook@lemmy.worldEnglish
        72·
        16 hours ago

        Why? I’m clearly addressing an American audience from a non-American location; specifying if I’m using Fahrenheit or Celsius just helps avoid confusion. Does the label of the unit bother you?

          • Holytimes@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
            1·
            2 hours ago

            What? He clearly labels the temperature he’s talking about both numerically and in what scale.

            I understood perfectly. I don’t understand how you couldn’t.

          • BozeKnoflook@lemmy.worldEnglish
            31·
            14 hours ago

            Yes, a US audience:

            1. CNN is an American company
            2. My comment was specifically for Americans that may not understand or appreciate the situation, as houses there are built very differently and are less prone to baking their occupants during summer.

            Why does my labeling the unit of measurement bother you so much you have to comment on it specifically? I’m genuinely confused here.

            • Holytimes@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
              1·
              2 hours ago

              Its rather common for non Americans/Canadians to get hyper judgemental and slightly racist or xenophobic when Fahrenheit gets used around here. Its just one of those casual racist things you get use to in an international space on Lemmy.

              Lot of Americans arnt use to how much casual racism is thrown around because we are too use to being the largest group and our idiots being the one throwing it towards others.

              Its also just far more socially acceptable to be racist and xenophobic towards Americans on here for obvious political reasons at the moment.

              Most communities iv come across also just flat out don’t punish it from what I’ve noticed or punish it a lot less.