Why are heatwaves becoming more frequent and intense globally?

Imagine Earth wearing a thick, warm coat that traps heat inside. This coat is called the atmosphere, and it is getting thicker because we are adding more heat-trapping gases.

Think of the atmosphere like a heavy winter blanket. When you put on extra blankets on a summer night, you get too hot. Our planet is the same. We are burning fossil fuels, which releases gases like carbon dioxide. These gases act like extra layers on that blanket, trapping more of the sun's warmth so it cannot escape into space. This is known as the greenhouse effect.

Because the "blanket" is thicker, the Earth keeps getting warmer. This extra warmth makes hot days happen more often and last longer. It is like leaving the oven on low; the air inside stays hot even if you open the door for a second.

When the ground absorbs this extra heat, it bakes the soil. This makes it harder for plants to cool themselves through evaporation. So, we see heatwaves that are stronger and more frequent. It is not magic; it is simply physics working like a thermostat stuck on high.

Remember: The sun does not change; our "blanket" does.

We are adding heat faster than the Earth can shed it. This is why summer feels longer and hotter than before.