heAT WAVES CRONOLOGY

Pre-1920s: Prior to 1920 or earlier: Many weather stations in the Pacific Northwest (PNW) region begin long-term temperature measurements, some going back to this period. 1930s: Since 1930: Families in Iceland have been monitoring glaciers, with some measurements recorded annually at certain glaciers. 1940s: 1946: A speaker recounts being born and raised on Île de Jean Charles, Louisiana, where their family home stood before land loss. 1950s: 1959: ER5 temperature data for daily maximum temperature records begin. 1959-2023: Analysis of temperature data for trends in summertime heat extremes. 1960s: 1960s: Land loss in Louisiana, particularly Île de Jean Charles, accelerates due to oil and gas extraction and rising sea levels. Since 1960: The Pacific Northwest region has warmed by approximately 1.5 degrees Celsius. 1970s: July 23, 1972: LANDSAT program begins monitoring land surface and forests from space, providing a new perspective on Earth. 1979: Record-keeping for North Atlantic Sea surface temperatures begins. 1980s: Summer 1988: Dr. James Hansen testifies to Congress, presenting strong evidence that greenhouse warming is occurring and detectable, aiming to put climate change on the international agenda. 1990s: The amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere rises from 280 parts per million (pre-industrial) to over 400 parts per million. 1990s: 1992: Global climate negotiations begin in Rio, addressing climate injustice and historical responsibility for emissions. July 14-20, 1995: The Chicago Heatwave occurs, with temperatures reaching 106°F (heat index 126°F) for 2.5 days. This event leads to 739 excess deaths, many of whom died alone. City leadership, including the mayor and health commissioner, were on vacation, and the city failed to implement its existing heat emergency plan. Hospitals went on bypass, and there were "water wars" due to fire hydrant openings. After 1995: Dozens of unclaimed bodies from the Chicago Heatwave are buried in Homewood, outside the city. Since 1995: Nearly all glaciers in Iceland have lost volume. 1997: The glacier monitored by a family in Iceland has retreated 1,200 meters since this year. 1998: The first major coral bleaching event occurs on the Great Barrier Reef. 2000s: Early 2000s: The debate about climate change in social sciences was not prominent when "Heatwave" (a book about the Chicago event) was initially written. July 8, 2003: Saudi Arabia records the highest heat index ever at 178°F, with an air temperature of 108°F and high dew points. Summer 2003: A 3-week heatwave hits Europe, causing between 35,000 and 70,000 excess deaths, with France reporting 15,000 deaths. Parisian authorities tried to leave as little as possible to chance. This event is seen as a major trauma for France, yet some argue not enough has been done since. Since 2003: The Eiffel Tower's top observation deck has been off-limits due to heat. 2008: The US government makes LANDSAT images free and accessible online, leading to a "huge leap in capability" for monitoring land changes. 2008: The UK enacts the Climate Change Act, the first law globally to set a legally binding target for greenhouse gas emissions reduction. 2010s: 2014: Becomes the warmest year on record globally. 2016: The Chicago Green Corridors program begins, aiming to address air pollution and connect green spaces. 2016 & 2017: Two global coral bleaching events extend across the world's reefs, affecting the Great Barrier Reef. 2018: The UK experiences a heatwave that is 30 times more likely due to climate change. November 2018: Temperatures in Kes, Australia, hit 42°C, leading to the death of over 11,000 flying foxes from one colony. 2018: Record-breaking wildfires occur globally, including in California, causing $24 billion in damage and 106 deaths. Post-2018: The "Rebuild by Design" project is initiated by President Obama's task force on Hurricane Sandy, focusing on rebuilding cities with intelligent design to deal with climate extremes. Pre-2020: Studies show that neighborhoods with the fewest trees in the U.S. are almost always lower-income and communities of color, and consistent decline of trees in cities is observed. 2020s: 2020: Maiya visits Phoenix during a 110-degree heatwave to investigate heat adaptation strategies. 2021: The Pacific Northwest is struck by an extreme heatwave (heat dome), which some scientists believe wouldn't have been possible without global warming. Portland, Oregon, records 116°F, with some areas reaching 124°F due to the urban heat island effect. Ashlyn Maddox, 36, dies from extreme heat exposure, 50 feet from her air-conditioned home. This event broke the Canadian national record by 4.6°C and was estimated to be a once-in-100,000-year event. 2021: A lawsuit is filed against the French government for failing to prevent climate change. 2022: Over 60,000 heat-related deaths occur in Europe, with Spain having one of the highest numbers. Late 2022/Early 2023: 2,000 Swiss women sue their government for insufficient climate action and win. 2023: More than 47,000 people in Europe die of causes related to high temperatures. Greece has the highest mortality rate (393 deaths/million inhabitants), France 85, and the UK 40. 2023: Phoenix experiences 55 days over 110°F and 645 heat-related deaths. July 1, 2023: Europe endures its second heat spike of the summer, with temperatures reaching 43°C in Portugal (Beja) and over 40°C in Seville, Spain. Current Heatwave (Source: Dangerous heat wave moving over Eastern U.S.): A dangerous heatwave builds over the Eastern U.S., with "feels like" temperatures between 105-112°F in Hampton Roads. Over 150 million Americans are on alert. DC could feel like 109°F. Some school districts in the Northeast switch to half-day schedules. Electricity demand is expected to be highest in 14 years. MLB games experience delays due to heat-related illnesses (Cincinnati Reds player Elie de la Cruz, Mariners pitcher Trent Thornton, umpire). New York's governor declares a state of emergency for over 30 counties due to heavy rain and flash flooding, resulting in at least 3 deaths near Utica (including 6-year-old twins). Six people die and two go missing after a boat capsizes in Lake Tahoe due to strong winds and waves. Double water spouts are spotted off Florida's Gulf Coast. Current/Ongoing (Source: Europe's growing heatwaves): France and parts of Europe endure a heatwave. Gulfesh nuclear plant in France suspends activity as Garonne River water reaches 28°C. Eiffel Tower shut through Wednesday. Public transport offers discounts. Less than half of Paris Metro cars have AC. French president promised 40,000 renovated schools, but only 5,000 completed. Paris to have 1/3 of school yards refurbished by year-end. Student Rishar lives in a 72°C apartment under a zinc roof. Discussions about extending Paris's cold water loop system. Current/Ongoing (Source: How Heatwaves Expose Inequality): Europe is currently sizzling, leading to governments on alert. Construction workers in Bordeaux and a bakery in Paris face extreme heat. 35% of French homes are poorly insulated. Italy's regions ban outdoor work during peak heat hours. Postal worker Emilio in Madrid starts shifts at 7 AM. 19% of Europeans cannot keep homes cool enough in summer. Wealthier cities (Copenhagen, Amsterdam, Zurich, Oslo) adapt better than poorer ones (Marseilles, Naples). 37% of low-income French households suffer excessive heat in summer. Current/Ongoing (Source: How to survive heatwaves in the city): Barcelona has created over 350 climate shelters (cooling centers), with 98% of the population within a 10-minute walk of one. These shelters must maintain temperatures under 27°C and offer water, seating, and bathrooms. Some schools have been adapted using passive architecture for cooling. Community centers serve as informal climate shelters in low-income neighborhoods. Ongoing/Future Concerns: Global warming is pushing the planet to a "tipping point," leading to more intense and frequent heatwaves, droughts, floods, and sea level rise. Forests, vital carbon sinks, are being cleared and burned at an accelerating rate globally, contributing to nearly a third of carbon dioxide emissions. Europe is warming at twice the global average, linked to Arctic warming, shrinking rivers/lakes, aerosol reduction, and Mediterranean Sea warming. Climate models predict significant amplification of heat extremes in the tropics in the future. There is a "will not to know" about past heat disasters like the Chicago heatwave, hindering effective preparation. Many people have been deliberately misinformed about climate change. Future Projections: By 2040: Heat-related illnesses across U.S. metropolitan areas are projected to increase eightfold to tenfold. By 2050: The International Energy Agency expects energy demand for air conditioning to double from its current 7%. About half the European population may be exposed to high or very high risk of heat stress during summer. It is projected that 45% of the world will live under extreme heat conditions. 98% of the world's coral reefs could be at risk of severe bleaching if global warming reaches 2°C. By 2050: Over 68% of the world's population is projected to live in urban areas. By 2100: Cities like Houston, Texas, and Miami, Florida, are projected to experience several months of dangerous heat every year, potentially becoming nearly unlivable. The number of heat-related deaths in Europe could triple.