Scientists Link Major Carbon Emitters to Worsening Heat Waves
Emissions from the world’s largest fossil fuel and cement companies play a significant role in extreme weather events, according to a new study.
Residents watch a wildfire burning during a heat wave in Castrillo de Cabrera, northwestern Spain, on Aug. 16.
Photographer: Cesar Manso/AFP/Getty ImagesOne quarter of more than 200 heat waves that occurred worldwide this century may have been impossible without human-induced global warming. Emissions from the world’s largest fossil fuel and cement companies played a significant role in worsening those events, according to a paper published Wednesday in the journal Nature.
The study is the first to assess the historic impact of climate change on a large series of heat waves. The scientists concluded that emissions from the world’s 180 largest carbon emitters contributed to about half of the increase in intensity of heat waves since preindustrial times. They further determined that 14 of the largest carbon majors, including Exxon Mobil Corp., Saudi Aramco and Gazprom PJSC, played a role in more than 50 heat waves that otherwise would have been almost impossible.