A heatwave has ripped across the Pacific Northwest, forcing people to visit cooling centers due to the lack of residential air conditioners in the historically temperate climate. Temperatures have soared to 118 degrees (48 °C). The National Weather Service says that "on average, more people die from heat than any other severe weather." In Canada, British Columbia’s chief coroner, Lisa Lapointe, received reports of at least 486 “sudden and unexpected deaths.” She said, "...it is believed likely that the significant increase in deaths reported is attributable to the extreme weather.” There are a number of vulnerable groups impacted, including farmworkers.

Today, the European Union's Copernicus Climate Change Service released troubling data: 2020 tied 2016 as the two hottest years on record and 2010 to 2020 was the hottest decade on record. Temperatures in 2020 were 1.08 degrees Fahrenheit warmer than the average temperature from 1981 to 2010. Why is this happening?