Energy‐Consumption‐Induced Anthropogenic Heat Release Intensifies Heatwaves and Wildfire Threats in North America: A CESM2‐Based Projection for the Late 21st Century

Abstract Anthropogenic heat release (AHR) refers to the heat emitted into the Earth‐atmosphere system as a result of human activities that consume various types of energy. Using the Community Earth System Model 2 (CESM2), this study examines the effects of AHR on summer extreme heat events in North American (NA) during 2081–2100, focusing on the SSP5‐8.5 scenario. Model simulations demonstrate that AHR contributes to a warming of 0.60°C in mean summer surface temperatures, along with increases of 0.61°C and 0.59°C in daily maximum and minimum temperatures, respectively. Extreme high temperatures become more frequent, with a 0.2‐day expansion in compound day‐night heatwave days per summer. AHR affects the surface net shortwave radiative flux by influencing the lower tropospheric stability and low cloud cover. Additionally, it also leads to an increase of more than 2 W m −2 in the surface downward longwave radiative flux, which significantly alters the surface energy balance and temperatures. Furthermore, AHR modifies large‐scale atmospheric circulation and moisture transport, intensifying anticyclonic circulation over the western continent and amplifying mid‐latitude warming and drying. The annual mean vapor pressure deficit in NA is projected to increase, which exacerbates moisture stress on vegetation and increases wildfire risk. AHR represents a critical aspect of anthropogenic influences on climate, with significant implications for future climate conditions and extreme events in NA under global warming. This study provides significant scientific implications for understanding climate change and extreme weather events in NA.