Heat wave in California and heavy rain in Japan

09/07/2018 - Currently, California is confronted with extreme heat while Japan is hit by heavy rain. Stefan Rahmstorf, Earth System Analysis research domain co-chair at the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK) and Professor at the University of Potsdam comments on the issue.
Heat wave in California and heavy rain in Japan

"Our Earth is once again being hit by extreme weather, including extreme heat with wildfires in California and devastating floods of rain in Japan. Based on the laws of physics, due to global warming we must expect more frequent and worse heat waves as well as extreme precipitation events. Weather data already show a significant worldwide increase in both types of events in recent decades. Climate researchers have warned about this for a long time. This trend can only be halted if the Paris Agreement for stabilizing our climate is rapidly and fully implemented."

Further information
- on increased heavy rainfall events: https://www.pik-potsdam.de/news/press-releases/record-breaking-heavy-rainfall-events-increased-under-global-warming

- on increased monthly heat records: https://www.pik-potsdam.de/news/press-releases/archive/2013/monatliche-hitzerekorde-haben-sich-durch-die-erderwaermung-verfuenffacht