A call to action against Europe's alarming climate change

According to the latest report from the World Meteorological Organization and the EU climate agency Copernicus, Europe is the fastest-warming continent, with temperatures rising roughly twice as fast as the global average.

Recent data shows that Europe's temperatures are currently about 2.3°C higher than pre-industrial levels, compared to a 1.3°C increase globally. This stark difference highlights the pressing need to address climate change, drawing attention to the 2015 Paris climate agreement. This agreement compels countries to cap the global average temperature rise to below 2°C above pre-industrial levels and strive towards a limit of 1.5 degrees.

This phenomenon is attributed to several factors. For instance, Europe's proximity to the Arctic, a region particularly sensitive to climate change, plays a significant role. Furthermore, the oceanic and atmospheric currents surrounding Europe are generally warmer compared to those at similar latitudes elsewhere. Coupled with global drivers of warming, such as greenhouse gas emissions, these factors have led to above-average temperatures in Europe for 11 months in 2023, including the hottest September ever recorded.

In 2023, Europe experienced a record number of days with "extreme heat stress" when the perceived temperature exceeded 46°C, prompting necessary actions to prevent heatstroke. The report also highlights that heatwave-related mortality has surged by approximately 30 percent over the past 20 years, with deaths specifically attributed to heatwaves in Europe jumping by 94 percent.

Is reversing this trend possible? According to Celeste Saulo, the WMO secretary-general, while climate action may seem daunting, the cost of inaction is far greater.