Brussels: A powerful heatwave sweeping across Western Europe has been made far more severe by human caused climate change, according to a new scientific study released on Thursday. Researchers say the extreme temperatures experienced across several European countries would have been virtually impossible without the warming caused by greenhouse gas emissions.
The findings come from World Weather Attribution, an international group of climate scientists that studies the role of climate change in extreme weather events. Using advanced climate models and historical weather data, the researchers found that the current late June heatwave is the hottest ever recorded for this time of year in the areas studied. They said climate change increased the likelihood of such extreme heat by around 100 times compared with conditions about two decades ago.
Scientists also found that a similar heatwave occurring in 1976 would have been around 3.5 degrees Celsius cooler than the one Europe is experiencing today. The report says nearly 45 percent of more than 800 European cities have either already recorded or are expected to record their highest late June heat stress levels ever observed.
The heatwave has affected large parts of France, Spain, Portugal, Germany, Belgium, Italy and the United Kingdom. Several countries have experienced temperatures well above seasonal averages, with some areas approaching or exceeding 40 degrees Celsius. Britain has also recorded its hottest June day on record, while many regions across Europe have endured unusually warm nights that have provided little relief after extremely hot days.
Scientists say high nighttime temperatures are especially dangerous because they prevent the human body from cooling down and recovering from the day's heat. This increases the risk of dehydration, heatstroke and other serious health problems, particularly among elderly people, young children and those with existing medical conditions.
The extreme weather has disrupted daily life across Europe. Authorities have issued health warnings, opened cooling centres and advised people to avoid outdoor activities during the hottest parts of the day. Schools have adjusted schedules or suspended classes in some regions, while hospitals and emergency services have reported an increase in patients suffering from heat related illnesses. Electricity demand has also risen sharply as millions of people rely on air conditioning and cooling systems.
Several wildfires have also broken out across southern Europe as hot, dry conditions have created an ideal environment for fires to spread quickly. Firefighters in Spain, Portugal and parts of France have been working to contain multiple blazes, while local authorities continue to monitor the risk of new fires as the heat persists.
According to scientists, Europe remains the fastest warming continent on Earth. The World Meteorological Organization has previously warned that Europe is warming at roughly twice the global average rate. Global temperatures are now estimated to be about 1.4 degrees Celsius higher than they were before the Industrial Revolution because of the continued burning of coal, oil and natural gas.
Researchers involved in the latest study said natural climate patterns such as El Niño were not responsible for the intensity of the current heatwave. Instead, they concluded that long term human caused climate change was the dominant factor behind the record breaking temperatures.
Climate experts warned that heatwaves like the current one will become more common and more intense unless countries significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions. They said every fraction of a degree of global warming increases the likelihood of extreme weather events and places greater pressure on public health systems, infrastructure and agriculture.
The latest findings also highlight the growing importance of rapid climate attribution science, which allows researchers to determine within days how much climate change contributed to a specific weather event. This field has become an important tool for governments and policymakers as they prepare for increasingly frequent climate extremes.
Scientists say the full impact of the current heatwave may not be known for several weeks because heat related deaths are often recorded after the event has ended. However, they warn that the current conditions are another clear sign that climate change is already reshaping weather patterns across Europe and increasing the risks faced by millions of people.