Europe Feels the Heat as EU Agency Reports Warmest Day on Earth
July 22, 2024 marked a grim milestone in climate history: the warmest day ever recorded on Earth, according to data from the European Union's Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S). Carlo Buontempo, the director of C3S, highlighted that Europe has been warming nearly twice as fast as the global average over the last few decades. This accelerated warming is attributed to various factors, including the rapid temperature rise in the Arctic, which is part of Europe's geographical definition, and the significant loss of ice and snow in European mountains and plains.
Heatwaves in Europe are becoming more frequent, intense, and prolonged, a trend that citizens will need to adapt to. These extreme weather events are not only a threat to human health and comfort but also to the continent's agriculture, ecosystems, and economic stability.
Extreme Weather Intensifies Across Europe
Across the continent, the impacts of these heatwaves are evident. In Spain, all regions except the Canary Islands were on "orange alert" at the end of July, with temperatures soaring to 39-40 degrees Celsius. Meanwhile, in southern France, thermometers breached the 40-degree mark, prompting warnings from Météo-France about the intensifying heat.
The situation is equally dire in Italy, where northern regions have faced storms and floods, while the south grapples with severe drought. The National Association of the Agricultural Water Board (ANBI) warned that water scarcity could soon cripple agriculture in central and southern Italy. Protests over water shortages in Sicily have escalated, with water reservoirs down by 60%.
Slovenia, still recovering from major floods last year, faced new challenges this summer with recurring floods and a forest fire in the Kras region, an area devastated by fires in 2022.
EU Civil Protection Mechanism Prepares for Summer
Anticipating another summer of extreme weather, the European Commission has activated the EU Civil Protection Mechanism. EU Commissioner for Crisis Management Janez Lenarčič emphasized the need for preparedness, with southern Europe bracing for high temperatures and central and northern Europe preparing for heavy rainfall.
The EU has mobilized a fleet of 28 firefighting planes and four helicopters across 10 member states. Additionally, €600 million has been allocated for the acquisition of 12 more aircraft to be shared among six countries.
Fires Ravage Southern Europe
Bulgaria, North Macedonia, Albania, and Greece are among the countries battling wildfires. North Macedonia requested urgent assistance through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism, receiving support from Serbia, Slovenia, Turkey, Croatia, and Romania. In Greece, the second-largest island, Evia, has been fighting a relentless wildfire, with hundreds of firefighters deployed.
Health and Economic Implications
The World Health Organization (WHO) warns that without effective climate change measures, an additional 250,000 premature deaths per year are possible between 2030 and 2050 due to extreme weather, poor air quality, food insecurity, and infectious diseases. Heatwaves, the deadliest meteorological phenomenon associated with climate change, are estimated to cause 489,000 deaths per year.
The International Labour Organization (ILO) highlights that climate change is making work more difficult and dangerous for billions of people. In Europe and Central Asia, the proportion of people exposed to excessive heat at work has increased more than in any other region over the past 20 years.
As Europe continues to feel the heat, the urgency for comprehensive climate action becomes more evident. The continent must not only adapt to these new realities but also lead global efforts to mitigate climate change and protect its citizens and ecosystems from further harm.