Europe is in the grip of a severe heat wave that has caused widespread health problems, upset lives and lifestyles, and posed risks to most economies. Over 1,500 deaths have been reported across the continent, with France and Britain suffering the worst so far. Britain recorded its hottest June in history, while Spain, Portugal, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Germany have all seen temperatures soar to 40 degrees Celsius, which is boiler-class weather in Europe. It is 10-12 degrees above normal. Some deaths occurred when people jumped into rivers to escape the heat and drowned. Weather alerts have been issued across many regions. Schools have closed, advisories urge limited travel, and train services have been curtailed amid fears that rail lines could expand and cause accidents. Much of Europe’s infrastructure, houses and other buildings are not designed for this level of heat. Humans and animals alike are struggling to adapt to the new climate reality.

Europe is now caught between hot winds from Africa and a warming Arctic region. Climate change has disrupted weather patterns worldwide, making extreme events increasingly common. Predictions that each year would be warmer than the previous one are proving true. The chances of weather extremes have increased a hundredfold in the last two decades. Nearly half of the 850 cities across 30 European countries have broken, or are expected to break, heat-stress records. Scientists warn that Europe is the fastest-warming continent, with temperatures rising at twice the global average since the 1980s. Many argue that the global warming predictions by the UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), which present a scary scenario, may need revision, as the situation could worsen.

Experts have called for adoption of techniques to avoid heat stress, which include better ventilation and creation of more green cover in cities. But it is difficult for people to adopt measures that need longer-term planning and investment. When the risks from climate change are discussed, it is always said that the poor countries will be the worst affected by it. But it is increasingly becoming clear that climate does not discriminate and the whole world will have to pay the price. Climate negotiations have stalled because the rich world has failed to accept its historical responsibility for creating the conditions for climate change and to support the poor world to counter it. The climate disasters in Europe should prompt the rich countries to change their attitudes and policies. (Source: DH)