More extreme heat waves can be expected with global warming.

Computer modeling developed by Dr. Andreas Sterl, senior researcher of the Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute (KNMI), forecasts increasingly severe heat waves in different parts of the world as global temperatures rise. Dr. Sterl stated that there will be a higher number and intensity of heat waves such as the one that took place in Europe in 2003, which claimed the lives of 15,000 people in France alone. University of Wisconsin environmental health professor Dr. Jonathan Patz affirmed the dangers posed by such warming patterns, saying, "Extreme temperature puts a huge demand on the body, especially anyone with heart problems. The elderly are the most vulnerable."

We thank you, Drs. Sterl and Patz, for reminding us of another perilous effect of climate change. May we act as one in addressing this urgent situation of our time, to ensure a cool and sustainable planet.

http://www.physorg.com/news134235008.html, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/KNMI_%28institute%29, http://www.knmi.nl/~sterl/