Floods, droughts(干旱), storms, hot days... extreme(极端的) weather is becoming more and more common all over the world. This is caused by greenhouse gas emissions(温室气体排放) from human activities, reported China Daily.
This summer，big storms hit areas of Europe. At least 13 people died in Austria, France and Italy by Aug.19. In Portugal and Spain, huge wildfires have forced thousands to leave their homes. In the US, more than 80 percent of the west is in drought, causing three-quarters of farmers in these areas have stopped growing food.
In China, the heat has hit the south since June. The duration(持续时间) of this year's high temperatures has broken the 62-day record in 2013, becoming the longest heat wave in 61 years. If you visit Chongqing this summer, you may see a very"dark"city: no more neon lights（霓虹灯） in the streets with only a few lights on in shopping malls. The highest temperature there reached 45℃! People there have no choice but to turn on the air conditioner the whole day, which is a big burden for the power system.
Extreme weather has also made 218 of the known 375 diseases more serious. You may have recently heard the word"thermoplegia (热射病)". It is the most serious type of sunstroke(中暑 ). Many cases of death are reported to be caused by it this summer. If people stay in high temperatures for too long, the heat will damage their organs(器官)and make people feel sick, even die.
