The heatwave sweeping across Western Europe is the most severe and widespread on record in the region, according to a new scientific analysis. Researchers say the situation is a consequence of the climate crisis, fueled by the burning of fossil fuels.
According to the analysis, almost half of Europe's 850 largest cities are experiencing the highest levels of heat stress ever recorded. Heat stress is not only related to temperature, but also to humidity in the air. When the air is more humid, sweat evaporates more slowly and the body has a harder time cooling itself, which makes heat more dangerous.
The UK recorded its highest June temperature in its history: 36.7°C. Meanwhile, many countries in Western Europe have reported an increase in medical emergencies, school closures, overwhelmed hospitals and disruptions to rail and air travel.
In the summer of 2022, more than 60,000 people died in Europe due to heat. It will take time to fully understand the impact of the current wave, but scientists warn that the consequences are expected to be severe.
The analysis, conducted by scientists at World Weather Attribution , which studies the link between extreme weather events and climate change, found that extreme heat is rapidly worsening as carbon pollution continues to accumulate in the atmosphere.
Scientists say that if such a wave had occurred in 2003, it would have been about 2°C cooler. In 1976, another year known for extreme temperatures, it would have been about 3.5°C cooler.
Even hot nights, which affect people's sleep and health, have become about 100 times more likely today compared to 2003.
“This event would never have happened in June without climate change,” said Dr. Theodore Keeping, an extreme weather researcher at Imperial College London and part of the World Weather Attribution team .
"Will this look like a fresh summer in the future? Absolutely. The speed of change is staggering," he said.
Simon Stiell, the UN climate chief, said climate change is accelerating because of the world's dependence on coal, oil and gas. According to him, the solutions are clear: a faster transition to clean energy, protecting forests and strengthening the ability of cities to cope with the new climate.
According to scientists, the current weather pattern is not unusual for summer, but the level of heat, increased by global warming, is unusual.
Essentially, this heat wave is not just a difficult summer episode, but a warning that the climate for which our cities, homes, and infrastructure are built is changing faster than we are able to adapt.
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