Europe is experiencing a severe heatwave, with temperatures soaring across the continent and no end in sight. Spain’s weather agency has warned that temperatures could remain higher than normal until October. Heatwave warnings have been issued from Spain to Germany, with France, Italy, and Greece also experiencing scorching temperatures.
In Paris, the Olympics are being held amidst the heat, with the World Weather Attribution (WWA) group stating that the extreme temperatures would have been “virtually impossible” without human-caused climate change. The high temperatures are impacting athletes’ performance and increasing the risk of heat-related illness.
The heatwave has brought about a wave of wildfires and droughts across the Mediterranean region. In Spain, helicopters and fire engines battled a large fire in north-west Rome, while the south of the country is facing persistent drought, forcing farmers to slaughter or sell off livestock due to severe water shortages.
Germany is also experiencing extreme heat, with the Weather Service DWD issuing a warning as parts of the country face temperatures exceeding 35C. Campaign groups have warned that Germany is ill-prepared for heatwaves, calling for better infrastructure and early warning systems.
The World Health Organization (WHO) released a report highlighting the deadly consequences of extreme heat, stating that it currently claims over 175,000 lives annually in Europe, with numbers expected to rise.
Experts warn that these extreme heat events are becoming more frequent and intense due to climate change. The WWA states that similar heatwaves affecting France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, and Morocco are now expected to occur about once every 10 years in today’s climate, compared to once every 50 years in the pre-industrial era. They urge a rapid reduction in greenhouse gas emissions to prevent further intensification of these events.
