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Scientists link human impacts to heat waves in U.S., Europe and China

Heat waves can be expected about once every 15 years in the U.S. and Mexico, once a decade in Southern Europe, and once every 5 years in China, according to the study.

Scientists confirmed fossil fuel burning exacerbates heat waves.
Scientists confirmed fossil fuel burning exacerbates heat waves. (AN/Ankhesenamun/Unsplash)

Climate change primarily caused by burning fossil fuels, chopping down forestland and farming livestock has played an overwhelming role in the extreme heat waves blasting three continents this month.

"Without human induced climate change these heat events would however have been extremely rare," the World Weather Attribution initiative between scientists in Europe, the U.S. and India said on Tuesday.

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