Heatwaves and Climate Change — Reading Comprehension

Imagine stepping outside and the air feels like a giant oven. The sun beats down relentlessly, and even at night, it’s hard to cool down. This extreme weather event is called a heatwave, and it’s becoming a more common sight around the world. A heatwave is a period of unusually hot weather that lasts for several days or even weeks. These events can be dangerous, leading to health problems like heatstroke and making it difficult for people to work or even sleep.

What’s causing these longer and more intense heatwaves? Scientists point to climate change. Climate change refers to long-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns globally. While Earth's climate has always changed naturally, current changes are happening at a much faster rate. A major factor in this acceleration is the increase in global temperatures, often called global warming.

The main reason for this rise in global temperatures is the greenhouse effect. This is a natural process that warms the Earth’s surface. Certain gases in our atmosphere, called greenhouse gases, trap heat from the sun. Think of it like a blanket keeping the Earth warm. Without it, our planet would be too cold for life. However, human activities are adding too many of these gases to the atmosphere, making the blanket too thick.

Where do these extra greenhouse gases come from? Burning fossil fuels like coal, oil, and natural gas for electricity, transportation, and industry releases carbon dioxide, a powerful greenhouse gas. Deforestation, or cutting down forests, also contributes, as trees absorb carbon dioxide from the air. Agriculture and industrial processes also release other greenhouse gases like methane and nitrous oxide.

The extra trapped heat leads to higher average global temperatures, which in turn causes more frequent and intense heatwaves. It also affects other weather patterns, leading to more extreme events like droughts and heavier rainfall in different areas. Understanding these connections is crucial as we work towards solutions to slow down global warming and adapt to a changing climate.

Interesting Fact: The hottest temperature ever recorded on Earth was 134°F (56.7°C) in Death Valley, California, in 1913.

What is a heatwave?

Which of these is a fossil fuel?

The greenhouse effect is completely unnatural. True or False?

How do human activities make the greenhouse effect 'too thick'?

Why is deforestation a problem for climate change?

What is the primary cause of global temperature rise?

Which human activity releases carbon dioxide?

If a city experiences a record-breaking hot summer, what could be a long-term cause?

How could planting more trees help reduce heatwaves?

Which term describes long-term shifts in global temperatures and weather patterns?