For those who have chosen to spend their holiday time in a foreign country this year, mainly for some sunshine and relaxed lifestyle, they may find they have just a bit more sunshine than they had bargained for.
Taking a look at the world weather maps, it is not difficult to see that something strange is going on. Huge areas indicate extremely high temperatures of 40 degrees Celsius and above, which bring with it many down sides.
It is a vulnerable time for people with health issues, and also for the elderly and very young, as their body coping mechanisms are not so well formed as those healthy individuals in the mid age ranges.
If it is only for a few days, it can be tolerated, but if high temperatures persist, many other aspects become affected.
Water becomes scarce, which affects humans and animals alike, as in hot weather, water is the thing that everyone craves, both to feel comfortable and to keep hydrated.
From a food perspective, it has far reaching consequences. Lack of water affects the growing of crops. Excessive heat dries and shrivels them and stunts their growth if no moisture is available to them, and ultimately the crops may die. This in turn decreases the amount of food available for selling on, so shortages occur with an accompanying price rise.
Similarly with live stock. If animals don`t have enough grass to eat or water to drink, they either die from starvation and dehydration or have to be euthanised.
Businesses which depend on water for either part of their work processing or indeed as part of their products, have to re evaluate their costs which has a knock on price hike.
Due to the dry condition of wood and grasslands, fires start up, either by accidental human intervention, or by spontaneous fires caused by heat combustion.
These fires can be widespread, affecting human, animal and vegetative life and wiping out enormous areas of forestation.
What has happened to bring about this situation?
We don`t have far to look to be aware of warnings for some years now about climate change.
The critics are divided as to whether humans are responsible for abusing the environment by pollution and disrupting the balance of the natural world, resulting in extreme weather situations.
Disagreeing with this theory are those who look back in history and find evidence that similar scenarios happened over many years due to natural changes in the environment, resulting in huge geographic shifts.
The answer may lie in a bit of both, but it doesn`t alter the fact that we are witnessing a climatic change which we have not witnessed in our lifetimes.
Evidence suggests that this change is going to keep going and may become more profound, so what does the world do in the short term and more importantly, in the long term?
History has indeed shown us that areas that are now desert, were once places which had rivers running through them and plentiful vegetation.
Areas which were covered by ice, are now habitable, or which once supported life but are now glacial.
Mountainous regions disappeared under water, and geographic coastlines were reshaped. (Look at a map of the UK with its Irish / French borders as a good example).
Certain animals and vegetation became extinct, whilst others were cultivated and encouraged.
These major changes took many hundreds of years, and may take that again, but with our advanced knowledge and abilities, we should be able to plan ahead for possible eventualities.
If the countries which are experiencing extreme heat are to expect more in the future, then there should be steps being taken to deal with it.
The worst outcome would be if certain countries could no longer function to support life. Their inhabitants would have no option but to migrate to somewhere else.
In the short term, ways to manage the extreme heat, might be to alter lifestyles, including importing much more food, including water as crops could no longer be cultivated.
Gradually economies could decrease and poverty would take the place of a one time abundant country.
That of course is a very extreme example, and would take many years to come to pass, but it is a possibility which these countries have to take on board.
Other climatic changes which are already affecting communities are rising sea levels, and storm damage.
Many low lying, rather idyllic coastal regions, particularly islands, which seem to have a picture post card image, have suffered greatly when they experience a storm, hurricane or tornado.
These communities are generally poor, so do not have the resources to cope with mass devastation, which can destroy their homes and livelihoods.
Added to that are the rising sea levels due to ice melting in glacial areas, which has already meant that some small islands are disappearing into the sea, and the inhabitants have had to relocate elsewhere.
Regardless of which side of the fence is taken, the environment is changing. Whole countries with economies and inhabitants are in the firing line now. Action is required.
In the UK we tend to be complacent, as although we complain about our wet chilly climate, it is not one of extremes. We therefore tend to think that these things happen to other countries but not to ours.
In many respects we are lucky, and indeed will probably not experience prolonged extreme heat for example, and we are fortunate to have copious water resources.
However, as we have what may become a desirable climate in the future, we could become the country of choice for many to want to migrate to.
Hypothetically, it could make the current migrant crisis pale into insignificance.
Much homework and planning requires to be done by most of the world to look into the whole climate shift. Talking alone won`t solve it. It will involve a very practical overview of how to deal with the future and how to address problems now.
Let`s hope the politicians, climate activists, geographic experts and the human inhabitants involved, get around the table together and work together towards sensible outcomes.
