Intense heatwave in Southern Europe: Submerging in cold baths and seeking refuge in climate shelters becomes essential
**Heatwaves and Biodiversity Crisis in the Mediterranean**
The Mediterranean region is currently grappling with an unprecedented heatwave crisis, with numerous countries reporting temperatures soaring above 40°C. This scorching heat is not only affecting human populations but also taking a devastating toll on the region's biodiversity.
Portugal, Italy, and France are among the countries most affected by the heatwave, with temperatures reaching record-breaking levels. The extreme heat is causing significant stress to native wildlife, particularly birds, which are being admitted to intensive care facilities. In Portugal, the heatwave has also led to forest fires, further endangering the region's biodiversity.
To combat the heat, cities like Bologna and Rome have set up climate shelters offering air conditioning and drinking water, while Rome is also providing free access to city swimming pools for the elderly. Venice, too, is offering free guided tours in air-conditioned museums and public buildings for individuals over 75 years old.
The heatwave is not only affecting terrestrial wildlife but is also impacting marine biodiversity. The warmer sea surface temperatures are causing prolonged marine heatwaves of extreme intensity in areas such as the Alboran Sea and the Gulf of Lion, where sea temperatures are currently around 26°C compared to the historical average of 23°C.
The warmer waters are facilitating the spread and establishment of invasive marine species, such as lionfish, silver-cheeked toadfish, dusky spinefoot, and marbled spinefoot, which have begun to appear in southern Italy's waters. These invasive species thrive in warmer climates and outcompete native species that are already stressed by heat and habitat changes.
The League for the Protection of Birds (LPO) in France is also taking in birds in difficulty due to the heat. The Italian Society of Emergency Medicine has reported a 10-percent increase in heatstroke cases, particularly in cities with high temperatures and humidity. Elderly people, cancer patients, and homeless people are among the most affected.
The Italian island of Sicily was also on high alert for extreme heat and forest fires, with firefighters battling 15 blazes on Saturday. To address the growing problem, Italy's ISPRA launched a campaign this week to report sightings of four potentially dangerous venomous species: lionfish, silver-cheeked toadfish, dusky spinefoot, and marbled spinefoot.
The increasing frequency and intensity of heatwaves in Mediterranean regions are expected to become more frequent due to climate change. This poses a significant threat to the region's biodiversity, altering ecosystem structure and function both in terrestrial and marine environments.
Urban heat islands, created by urbanization and industrialization, are also worsening the situation. These hot spots amplify temperatures locally, worsening heat stress on native biodiversity and promoting invasive species that tolerate or prefer warmer climates, disrupting local ecosystems.
In conclusion, climate change-induced heatwaves and urban heat islands in the Mediterranean are boosting the presence and impact of invasive species by creating warmer and more suitable conditions for their survival and spread. This poses a significant threat to native biodiversity, altering ecosystem structure and function both in terrestrial and marine environments.
- The current heatwave crisis in the Mediterranean is a concern for not just human society, but also the region's health-and-wellness, as more elderlies, cancer patients, and homeless individuals are affected by heatstroke.
- The extreme heat is causing mental health issues, particularly in areas with high temperatures and humidity, as reported by the Italian Society of Emergency Medicine.
- While municipalities provide climate shelters and free access to pools to combat the heat, the environmental-science sector is battling the issue at its root, with theories pointing to climate change as the cause of these unprecedented heatwaves.
- The heatwaves are not only impacting terrestrial wildlife, but also the fitness-and-exercise routine of aquatic creatures due to the warming of sea surface temperatures, which are facilitating the spread of invasive marine species.
- While science works on therapies-and-treatments for neurological disorders, it is equally important to address environmental changes like climate change to maintain a healthy and balanced environment for all species, including men's-health and women's-health.
- Aging populations may have unique vulnerabilities and require specific attention as they are more susceptible to heat-related illnesses, with Portugal experiencing forest fires due to the heatwave.
- Climate change also affects skin-care, as warmer temperatures can cause dehydration and collagen destruction, leading to premature aging of the skin.
- The CBD industry has been exploring how its products can contribute to the improvement of environmental-science and health-and-wellness, with potential benefits ranging from reducing inflammation to promoting relaxation.
- The space-and-astronomy sector, too, is focused on understanding how climate change on Earth is interconnected with climate changes on other planetary bodies, and how we can use space-based tools to monitor and mitigate climate change in the Mediterranean region.
