COMPETING WITH THE HEATING

 

Intensifying heat due to climate change has caused a surge in ocean temperatures, including the sea along the coast of the Algarve.

 

Holidaying and resident beachgoers can expect local sea temperatures to be between 23 and 24 degrees C this Saturday (tomorrow).

 

The whole of Portugal is experiencing high temperatures with some averaging 34 C mid-week. Forest fires are still raging in northern and central regions, some fuelled by high winds and being battled by exhausted firefighters.

 

Heat alerts published by the national meteorological agency are warning citizens across the mainland to take special care.

 

Severe as the situation now is, it was worse at this time last month when records were broken. July had the hottest marine temperatures ever recorded in Portugal. The warming was widespread with 95% of the Mediterranean showing above average temperatures.

 

The western Mediterranean has been the most affected by “extreme anomalies”

 

Other Mediterranean countries are struggling with high temperatures too. Greece has been doing its best to cope with a dozen major wildfires, including one threatening the third largest city.

 

Spain, France, Italy and the Balkans have been struggling with extreme temperatures that scientists say are due to climate change and the lack of action taken to control harmful greenhouse emission by the world’s major powers.

 

The comfortably warm sea may be helping illegal immigrants, such as the group washed ashore in a wooden boat in Vila de Bispo in the western Algarve last Friday. They appeared in court on the next day and ordered to be removed from Portuguese territory 

 

Meanwhile, a new study has revealed that climate change heat waves are forcing a “staggering decline” in bird populations around the world. The first-of-its-kind analysis published the NatureEcology and Evolution journal says the decline has occurred mainly in the tropics, but also everywhere else.

CHARITIES

ALZHEIMER 

PORTUGAL

Alzheimer Portugal is a nationwide organisation created more than 30 years ago specifically to promote the quality of life for people with dementia, as well as their families and carers.

It is there for you should you need their professional advice.

Alzheimer Portugal actively participates with its European and worldwide partners to gather and disseminate the latest information about dementia.

Website:

https://alzheimerportugal.org

Email:

info@alzheimerportugal.org

Phone Contacts:

Lisbon: +351 21 361 04 60

Faro: 289 803 747

Portimão: 965 276 690

Lagoa: 965 276 690

⸻MADRUGADA

This unique Algarve organisation provides a home-based, end-of-life palliative nursing care service for people wishing to spend their final days professionally cared for in their own home.

Established in 2009, they are now renowned for the excellence of palliative care, which is provided free of charge.

Based in Praia da Luz in the western Algarve, their specialist clinical teams work extensively to help people, and those important to them, manage the challenges of life-limiting illnesses through counselling, therapeutic and creative activities, complementary therapies, advice, and education.

For more information:

Call: +351 282 761 375

Email: admin@madrugada-portugal.com

The more donations they receive, the more their specialist volunteers are able to care for the community.