Europe Warming Twice as Fast as Global Average
NAPLES, Italy
– Europe is the fastest-warming continent, with temperatures rising at roughly twice the global average, according to a joint report by the U.N.’s World Meteorological Organization and the European Union’s climate agency, Copernicus.The report highlights the urgent need for targeted strategies to accelerate the transition to renewable resources such as wind, solar, and hydroelectric power to mitigate the impacts of climate change. Europe generated 43% of its electricity from renewables last year, a significant increase from 36% the previous year. Notably, for the second consecutive year, renewables generated more energy than fossil fuels in Europe.
Impact on Human Health and Environment
The report emphasizes the impact of rising temperatures on human health, with heat-related deaths increasing across the continent. Over 150 lives were lost directly due to storms, floods, and wildfires in 2023. The economic losses associated with weather-related events are estimated to exceed €13.4 billion (approximately $14.3 billion).
Extreme weather events, including heat waves, wildfires, droughts, and flooding, have become more frequent and severe. Rising temperatures have also contributed to glacier ice loss, particularly in the Alps, where 10% of the remaining glacier ice has melted over the past two years.
Climate Action and Mitigation
While Europe has made strides in renewable energy adoption, the report underscores the need for further action to combat climate change. According to the report, the continent’s latest five-year average temperatures are 2.3 degrees Celsius (4.1 Fahrenheit) above pre-industrial levels, falling just short of the 1.5 degrees Celsius target set by the 2015 Paris climate accord.
Copernicus has reported that March 2023 marked the 10th consecutive month of record monthly temperatures. The report also notes that the average sea-surface temperature for the ocean across Europe reached its highest annual level in 2023.
Despite the overall warming trend, the report acknowledges regional variations, with below-average temperatures observed in Scandinavia and Iceland during the year.
