Sustainable Switch: Climate Focus - Heat waves hit China, Mexico, US and Europe

Countries around the world are struggling to tackle sweltering heat waves this week. China has experienced higher-than-normal temperatures, with Shijiazhuang in Hebei province becoming the first provincial capital city to hit 40 Celsius (104F) this year, according to state media. Forecasts for Beijing, Hong Kong, Japan, Taiwan and South Korea are all predicting temperatures well above local long-term averages in the coming weeks, according to Refinitiv. Elsewhere, Mexico's national meteorological service forecast temperatures over 30 Celsius (86F) in all of the country's 32 states. The current heat wave will continue for 10-15 more days, according to a forecast from scientists with the Institute of Atmospheric Sciences and Climate Change at Mexico's National Autonomous University. A similar oppressive heat wave settled over a wide swath of the U.S. South, bringing record-breaking temperatures that could top 100 Fahrenheit (38C). Some 35 million people in southern Texas, Louisiana and Florida were under excessive heat warnings. Climate Buzz

* Chinese cities break heat records, stressing electricity grid Several cities in northern China broke heat records for June this week, with soaring temperatures straining the country's electricity supplies and leading authorities to practice emergency drills.

* Mexico swelters as 'atypical' heat wave grips nation Mexican authorities urged people across the country to take safety precautions as an unusual late Spring heat wave sent temperatures soaring, with cooler days possibly weeks away. Health ministry data through June 9 shows that at least six people have died this year as a result of the higher-than-normal temperatures.

* Stifling heat wave to grip U.S. South over holiday weekend An oppressive heat wave settled over a wide swath of the U.S. South, bringing record-breaking temperatures that could top 100 degrees Fahrenheit (38 Celsius) in many spots and creating dangerously hot conditions from Texas, Florida.

* Europe's city schools, hospitals at risk from extreme heat, EU agency says Nearly half of schools and hospitals in European cities are located in urban "heat islands", exposing vulnerable populations to health-threatening temperatures as climate change impacts worsen, the European Union's environment agency has said.

* Fate of EU nature law uncertain after chaotic first vote European Union politicians are at odds over how to restore the continent's rapidly deteriorating natural habitats and the fate of a proposed nature law hung in the balance after a chaotic parliamentary vote.

What to Watch ​ A pilot project in Peru is using a robot to plant seeds to help reforestation in the Amazon, where pristine rainforest and biodiversity is being blighted by mining and logging, much of it illegal. Click on the image for the video.

Climate Commentary​ * Reuters global energy transition columnist Gavin Maguire, dissects the differences in energy transition spending between the U.S. and Europe.

* Ethical Corporation Magazine contributor Oliver Balch, unpacks the ethical risks companies face as the application of AI increases. Click here for more. * Reuters Events contributor

Eduardo Garcia, shares his take on measures Ireland can take to build out its offshore wind supply chain. Climate Lens

Roofs were blown off houses and trees and electric poles uprooted, leaving thousands without power as a severe cyclone made landfall and rain lashed both the Indian and Pakistani coasts early on Friday. At least two people died in India's western state of Gujarat after being swept away by flood waters just before the cyclone hit. More than 180,000 people were evacuated in India and Pakistan in the last few days as authorities braced for the cyclone, named Biparjoy, which means 'disaster' or 'calamity' in the Bengali language. Number of the Week - 95%

The European Union should commit to slash its net greenhouse gas emissions by as much as 95% by 2040, official advisers said, as Brussels prepares a new goal to curb Europe's contribution to climate change. Think your friend or colleague should know about us? Forward this newsletter to them. They can also subscribe here.