EUROPE ON CLIMATE ALERT: A severe heatwave is sweeping across Southern, Central and Northern Europe, driving temperatures above 40°C in several regions, disrupting transport, increasing wildfire danger, and placing added pressure on health services as authorities issue widespread heat warnings.
Climate experts at the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) warn that Europe remains the world’s fastest-warming continent and that prolonged, more intense heatwaves are becoming increasingly common as global temperatures rise.
Officials are urging residents to stay hydrated, avoid prolonged exposure during peak afternoon heat, protect children, older adults and other vulnerable groups, and closely follow local emergency advisories. The United Nations and WMO have stressed that strengthening climate resilience while accelerating efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions is essential to safeguarding lives and communities as Europe confronts another episode of extreme weather linked to a warming climate.
