South America is currently experiencing an unusual heatwave during what should be its winter season.
Buenos Aires, Argentina, recorded its hottest 1 August in 117 years, while Chile saw temperatures rise towards 40C.
Climate experts warn that winter temperatures are off the scale in several regions, including northern Argentina, Chile, Paraguay, Bolivia, and southern Brazil. This extreme weather event is likely a result of El Niño and human-made climate change.
The situation has raised concerns about the future of extreme weather events globally. In the midst of this heatwave, politicians are gathering in Brazil to discuss the future of the Amazon rainforest and address the climate emergency.
Brazil’s President, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, aims to make the climate crisis a significant topic in the national curriculum to raise awareness among young children and their parents.