New research from two international climate agencies reveals that Europe is the world's fastest-warming major landmass, with parts of Spain, France, Italy, and Greece experiencing significant heat stress for up to ten days in 2023.
Heat Stress In Europe
A report from the United Nations's World Meteorological Organization and the European Union's climate agency, Copernicus, said the European continent was warming the fastest, with temperatures rising at around double the world average rate, three of the warmest years ever in the last four years, and the ten warmest since 2007.
In 2023, Europe experienced the warmest year on record, both on land and at sea, with climate change pushing the rate of warming to twice the global average.
Temperatures were higher than average for 11 months last year, including the warmest September on record, and a record number of days were classified as having "extreme heat stress" as the trend continued rising.
Heat-related mortality has climbed by 30% in the last 20 years, and it is expected to rise in more than nine out of ten European locations where it is tracked, according to the paper.
"In 2023, Europe witnessed the largest wildfire ever recorded, one of the wettest years, severe marine heat waves and widespread devastating flooding. Temperatures continue to increase, making our data ever more vital in preparing for the impacts of climate change," said Carlo Buontempo, director of Copernicus' Climate Change Service.
According to preliminary International Disaster Database figures, at least 63 people were killed by storms this summer, 44 by floods, and 44 by wildfires.
A wildfire in northern Greece, near the Turkish border, has become the EU's largest ever, scorching more than 237,000 acres over many days.
Large wildfires broke out in Portugal, Spain, and Italy as well. Overall, it was the fourth-worst wildfire season on record in the EU, with more than 1.2 million acres destroyed.
Economic losses from weather and climate-related disasters are expected to exceed $14.3 billion.
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Climate Change Measures
Copernicus recommended governments last month to prepare their healthcare systems for the impending effects of climate change. It also urged the EU to develop measures to safeguard outdoor workers from excessive temperatures.
The analysis stated that the release of greenhouse gases was the primary cause of last year's extreme heat. The El Niño current in the Pacific Ocean contributed to the high temperatures, among other factors.
El Niño refers to the warming of surface temperatures in the eastern and central Pacific Oceans. This phenomenon often produces hot, dry weather in Asia and Australia, but it can also create weather changes in other regions of the world.
According to the paper, intense heat can feed other extreme weather events, such as flooding. A warmer atmosphere can contain more moisture, perhaps resulting in greater rain if the necessary conditions are met.
In recent years, scientists have linked efforts to reduce aerosols and improve air quality to atmospheric warming since some pollutants reflect sunlight and hence chill the environment.
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