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Europe's Scorching Summer Shatters Heat Records
2 Oct
Summary
- Western Europe experienced its worst summer heat on record.
- Over half the continent faced extreme heat stress above 38C.
- Fossil fuel pollution is identified as the primary cause.
This past summer, western Europe experienced its most severe heatwave on record, with over half of the continent subjected to extreme heat stress exceeding 38 degrees Celsius. Surface air temperatures from June to August were recorded at 2.5 degrees Celsius above the recent decadal average, making it Europe's third hottest summer overall.
The intensity of this heatwave, which began unusually early in late May and persisted through September, is attributed to fossil fuel pollution. The consequences were far-reaching, impacting water availability, energy systems, transportation, ecosystems, and human health. Wildfires also ran rampant due to the hot weather and widespread drought.
European sea surface temperatures broke records, and rivers saw their lowest summer flows in over three decades. The severity of fire weather conditions this year was the worst scientists have ever recorded, with 680,000 hectares burned by the end of September, the third-worst on record. Smoke from these fires also significantly increased fine particulate matter in the air.
In response to these extreme weather events, doctors and climate scientists are urging governments to cease burning fossil fuels, implement urban shading, green cities, and install air conditioning in critical facilities like hospitals and schools.
