By Athena Papakosta

Authorities are urging residents and tourists arriving in Mediterranean countries to stay indoors as the second heat wave hits the region, making our country, Italy and Spain melt from the heat.

In Italy and the capital, Rome, Civil Protection workers were on the lookout for any citizens and tourists who might suddenly feel unwell due to the extreme temperatures. They were able to locate four but, as reported by local media, no one had to be taken to hospital. However, Italian hospitals saw a 20-25% increase in traffic as many arrived at Emergency Departments alone due to either dehydration or other heat-related illnesses. At the same time, volunteers were distributing reusable water bottles in 28 different places in the Italian capital.

In Cypruswhere the thermometer seems to be stuck at 43 degrees Celsius, a 90-year-old man died while six other adults had to be taken to hospital suffering from heatstroke.

At the same time, Spain she is faced not only with the extreme heat but also with the fiery nightmare. It is not only the huge fire in La Palma in the Canary Islands that remains active but under control. Spain is experiencing its third heat wave this summer, and persistent drought puts almost the entire country at risk of wildfires.

For experts, the heat wave is like an invisible enemy that can harm not only those who belong to the vulnerable groups but the entire population. The longer it is, in fact, the more dangerous and even deadly the heat can be.

The extreme temperatures will persist in the coming days and according to the estimates of meteorologists so far, 2023 may go down in history as the hottest year of all time. Already, during June the planet experienced the highest average temperature according to the European Center for Climate Change, Copernicus and the first days of July are estimated to be the warmest in the history of the planet.

And it is not only Europe that is boiling but also North Africa and North America and Asia. On Sunday, in Death Valley in California, often called the hottest place in the entire world, the thermometer reached 53.3 degrees Celsius. On the same day, in northwest China and the city of Shanbao, the temperature reached 52.2 degrees Celsius.

Anthropogenic climate change is caused by the burning of fossil fuels and the emissions of the gases contribute to the warming of the Earth. In fact, in 2022 carbon dioxide emissions increased to record levels. Combined, moreover, with the El Niño phenomenon, the planet remains on a warming trajectory. And the discussion about the next day opens. Unless we want this boiling cauldron-like routine to become our new normal.