Europe is facing unprecedented heat stress as scorching weather bakes the continent, leading to more days of extreme heat than ever before, according to a joint report from the EU’s Copernicus Earth-watching service and the World Meteorological Organization.
The report found that heat-trapping pollutants in the atmosphere have contributed to record-breaking temperatures in Europe, with last year being one of the hottest on record. Europeans are experiencing uncomfortable warmth during the day and night, leading to a 30% increase in the death rate from hot weather over the past two decades.
“The cost of climate action may seem high, but the cost of inaction is much higher,” said WMO secretary-general Celeste Saulo.
The report also highlighted the devastating impact of the hot and dry weather, which fueled large fires in countries like Portugal, Spain, and Italy. Greece experienced the largest wildfire ever recorded in the EU, burning 96,000 hectares of land.
In addition to wildfires, heavy rain led to deadly floods across Europe, with one-third of the river network crossing the “high” flood threshold. The report noted that Europe was about 7% wetter in 2023 than the average over the last three decades.
The scientists emphasized the urgent need for action to address climate change and protect vulnerable populations. They also pointed to the record-breaking amount of electricity generated from renewable sources in 2023, highlighting the importance of transitioning away from fossil fuels.
“If humans continue to burn oil, gas, and coal, heatwaves will continue to get hotter and vulnerable people will continue to die,” said climate scientist Friederike Otto.
The report comes in the wake of a landmark ruling by the European court of human rights, which found that Switzerland’s weak climate policy violated the human rights of older women who are more susceptible to heatwaves. This ruling could set a precedent for other European governments to take more decisive action to combat climate change and protect public health.