Experts have stated that the current heatwave scorching Europe would not be possible without the climate crisis by fossil fuel burning.
World Weather Attribution climate scientists published a study analysing the rapid heatwave. The report revealed that June is the fastest warming month, and the temperatures we are experiencing would not have been possible decades ago.
The study found that 45% of 854 cities across 30 European countries, including Ireland, have already broken their highest-ever heat stress levels.
The report revealed that if the same heatwave occurred 50 years ago, temperatures would be 3.5°C cooler. The study notes that the daily hottest temperatures are warming three times faster and nighttime temperatures are rising at twice the global rate.
World Weather Attribution warns that heatwaves pose a serious threat to human health as they note that last year 2,300 lost their lives due to extreme heat in Europe. They also confirm that the extreme weather has significant effects to ecosystems.
The report stated that France has been the hardest hit by the current heatwave as they have already reported 40 fatalities, widespread school closure, and major rail disruptions.
Spain has bveen hit with heightened drought and water stress as reservoir levels come under "increasing pressure," according to the report.
The main findings of the World Weather Attribution study are that this heatwave is the most severe Europe has ever experienced.
They highlight that elderly people living alone, those facing soci-economic disadvantages or chronic illness, homeless people and migrants are the most vulnerable to the impacts of extreme heat.
Speaking of the analysis, Simon Stiell, the UN's climate chief told the Journal that climate change is "running rampant, caused by the world’s addiction to burning coal, oil and gas. But the solutions are equally clear: a faster shift to clean energy – which is now much cheaper than fossil fuels – as well as protecting forests and building climate resilience.”
Recent reports have revealed that many people still live, work and study in places that are not designed for this extreme heat. Carolina Pereira Marghidan of the Red Cross Red Crescent Climate Centre told RTE that we need "greater investment in heat-resilient homes, cities and infrastructure to keep people safe."
Met Éireann have forecasted that today will be warm and humid again with a mix of sunshine and rain. They said that the showers will be "heavy and thundery at times in the midlands, west and northwest, with the possibility of localised flooding and frequent lightning."
