Heat Waves
A Operational Definition
i. Defining the phenomenon across the globe/specific to your region.
A heat wave is “…an extended period of unusually high atmosphere-related heat, which causes temporary modifications in lifestyle and has adverse health consequences for the affected population (Balafoutis, 2008)
ii. Differentiation from a natural hazard and what makes it a natural disaster.
Heat waves not only harm nature with extreme high temperatures, but also have numerous socio-economic effects. For instance in Chile, heat waves set back agricultural productivity by damaging crops and terrain thereby endangering the livelihood of people.
iii. Development, Intensity and Frequency
In warm climates during summer there is nothing to protect the air and ground from being heated excessively in high pressure areas without rain or clouds. The ground and air retain heat when large masses of high pressure air are trapped, and this retention of radiation from earth to the atmosphere creates a heat wave. Research has indicated a definite increase in temperatures with records showing that “temperatures in the region over the past century have risen by half a degree to 1.26 degree.” (Chang J, 2007) According to scientists, as temperatures rise, people face greater risk of death from dehydration, heat stroke/exhaustion, [and] heart attack…”(UCSUSA), Heat wave related impacts include poorer air quality, respiratory ailments and the expansion of the desert from Northern Chile towards the central region. In southern Chile, heat waves also incur will less rain- and snowfall.
C Relationship to climate change
vii. Causes of the natural disaster
Advocates of the climate change theory emphasize climate change as the genesis of heat wave disasters. Most researchers however disagree and credit pollution, carbon dioxide emissions, high pressure systems, which “block out cloud systems and rain-producing fronts, dry landscape deficient in moisture” and high humidity as the main agents increasing heat wave related incidents.
A Operational Definition
i. Defining the phenomenon across the globe/specific to your region.
A heat wave is “…an extended period of unusually high atmosphere-related heat, which causes temporary modifications in lifestyle and has adverse health consequences for the affected population (Balafoutis, 2008)
ii. Differentiation from a natural hazard and what makes it a natural disaster.
Heat waves not only harm nature with extreme high temperatures, but also have numerous socio-economic effects. For instance in Chile, heat waves set back agricultural productivity by damaging crops and terrain thereby endangering the livelihood of people.
iii. Development, Intensity and Frequency
In warm climates during summer there is nothing to protect the air and ground from being heated excessively in high pressure areas without rain or clouds. The ground and air retain heat when large masses of high pressure air are trapped, and this retention of radiation from earth to the atmosphere creates a heat wave. Research has indicated a definite increase in temperatures with records showing that “temperatures in the region over the past century have risen by half a degree to 1.26 degree.” (Chang J, 2007) According to scientists, as temperatures rise, people face greater risk of death from dehydration, heat stroke/exhaustion, [and] heart attack…”(UCSUSA), Heat wave related impacts include poorer air quality, respiratory ailments and the expansion of the desert from Northern Chile towards the central region. In southern Chile, heat waves also incur will less rain- and snowfall.
C Relationship to climate change
vii. Causes of the natural disaster
Advocates of the climate change theory emphasize climate change as the genesis of heat wave disasters. Most researchers however disagree and credit pollution, carbon dioxide emissions, high pressure systems, which “block out cloud systems and rain-producing fronts, dry landscape deficient in moisture” and high humidity as the main agents increasing heat wave related incidents.
References
1) Balafoutis, 2008, “the recent heat waves over Balkans as an indicator of climate change and a signal for new planning decisions”, Department of Meteorology and Climatology, University of Thessaloniki. Page 32) Jack Chang, Global warming in Chile threatens industry, water supplies http://www.mcclatchydc.com/227/story/20745.html, McClatchy Newspapers
3) Union of Concerned Scientists http://www.climatechoices.org/impacts_health/index.html,2008
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