More than one billion marine organisms across the Northwest Pacific died during the heatwave of 2021. Many clams were cooked to the point of bursting their shells.
As forecasts for the devastating heatwave in the Northwest Pacific emerged in late June, marine biologist Christopher Harley was deeply concerned.
Along the coastline stretching hundreds of kilometers, the extreme heat caused mass deaths of small marine life such as clams and seaweed. Starfish that could not crawl to cooler areas were cooked alive. Clams lying along the rocks had their soft tissues heated to the point of bursting their shells.
Initial estimates indicated that over one billion organisms living in shallow waters throughout the Northwest Pacific died due to the heat within just one week of extreme temperatures. Scientists predict that this impact will affect the ecosystem and the species that rely on these dead organisms for food.
A warning sign indicating the risk of extreme heat at salt flats in Death Valley National Park. (Photo: AFP).
“Getting hotter and hotter”
Unprecedented heatwaves shattered dozens of temperature records across the region, causing catastrophic impacts on humans, plants, and animals. However, this was just the beginning of what was to come.
As the environment continues to warm due to human-induced global warming, soaring temperatures will become more frequent, severe, and prolonged. Since heatwaves and droughts are closely linked, this disaster will devastate ecosystems, infrastructure, and agriculture.
Scientists are still studying the impacts of these heatwaves. However, research has indicated that this phenomenon will become more frequent over the next 30 years if the planet continues to warm.
Andrew Hoell, a meteorologist at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Physical Sciences Laboratory, stated: “The climate will continue to get hotter. This means we need more moisture sources to prevent drought. This is a factor that could change how we have been living for many years.”
According to a study from the University of Colorado published in early 2021, extreme heat can increase crop damage by up to ten times. In the western region, farmers and ranchers have struggled to adapt to extremely dry conditions even before temperatures began to spike.
More than half of the cherry crop in Western Canada was severely damaged by the end of June, looking as if it had been cooked. Raspberries, blueberries, blackberries, nuts, and apples in the Northwest also suffered similarly due to high temperatures before harvest.
Experts from the U.S. Department of Agriculture expressed concerns that shriveled wheat could significantly reduce this season’s wheat yield.
Workers at St. Paul farm, Oregon, during a heatwave. (Photo: AP).
Temperatures above 35 degrees Celsius also change starch in potatoes into sugar and slow their growth. Meanwhile, due to a shortage of tomatoes in California, prices for tomato-based foods—such as pizza sauce and ketchup—are expected to rise.
Effects of Rising Temperatures
According to scientists from NOAA, as of July, nearly half of the contiguous U.S. was experiencing drought, and more than 15% of the country faced record heat in June.
Extreme heat and drought complicate adaptation and recovery efforts. These conditions also create a perfect storm for rapidly spreading wildfires that burned nearly 1.2 million hectares in 2021.
Steve Ostoja, director of the USDA California Climate Center, noted that historical records show 4-6 extreme heat events per year, but climate models indicate that there could now be 25-30 events.
“That is a very big difference,” he said. “Basically, it means it’s always very hot.”
Water and moisture can alleviate stress during extreme heat, which is now lacking due to drought. Plants are under high pressure, animals cannot stay cool, and shallow water sources heat up faster, making habitats uncomfortable.
Jonathon Stillman, a biology professor at San Francisco State University, stated that animal species are also struggling to adapt. His research shows that animals already adjusted to high temperatures will find it even harder to adapt as temperatures rise further.
He said: “They are unable to cope when temperatures are even slightly above the maximum they can adapt to.”
A dead Chinook salmon floating downstream in the Klamath River in Weitchpec, California. Extreme heat is raising water temperatures to levels that animals cannot endure. (Photo: AP).
Chinook salmon are one example. They have been devastated by the heat after a significant recovery following the 2018 fire, leading to a severe decline in this already threatened species.
According to Howard Brown, senior policy advisor at NOAA, more than 83% of approximately 15,000 adult individuals in Butte Creek—the largest federally protected salmon population near Chico, California—have died.
He stated: “It is devastating,” calling it a sign of the severity of the drought and heatwave.
“This is the largest loss of adult salmon we have ever seen in the Central Valley.” Salmon in the Columbia River have also been reported swimming sluggishly and lethargically with large red scratches and burns as they navigate through excessively hot waters.
According to research by Bradfield Lyon, a professor at the University of Maine Climate Change Institute, as heatwaves become more frequent and intense, they will also impact larger physical areas.
He predicts that the frequency, duration, and intensity of heatwaves will increase by mid-century.
Despite the alarming situation, Lyon and many other researchers hope that this event and the warning of extreme temperatures can serve as a call for change. He stated that there is no need to panic, but rapid change is necessary.
