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How will governments and businesses respond to the record-breaking heat wave in Europe as temperatures soar past 110 degrees?
Whenever we hit the first stretch of summer, we can expect rising temperatures. After all, it’s the promise of warm days along scenic coastlines, striking architecture crafted centuries ago, and wine in the countryside that draws millions to Europe each summer. Yet, this week Europe soared to new temperatures that broke records, sounding the alarms for a dangerous heat wave that is anything but normal. From Athens to London, temperatures this week are anything but expected, and the domino effect- power outages, school closures, and heat-related illnesses- is devastating. So, how are governments and businesses responding to this stark warning for change?
“Governments have improved how they handle the immediate crisis with better warnings and rules,” explains François Le Scornet, President of Carbonexit Consulting, an energy and climate tech consultancy. “Yet moving beyond just reacting when it gets hot would be better.” As scientists warn that we need to rapidly slash greenhouse gases as the world surpasses the warming threshold, the heat wave in Europe will serve as a model for how other continents will respond to rising temperatures.
The Changing Climate of Europe and Its Impact
European summers are stretching longer and are becoming more extreme. While temperatures around the rest of the world have increased by around 32.5 degrees Fahrenheit per decade, Europe is the fastest-warming continent, with temperatures increasing approximately 33 degrees Fahrenheit per decade. And, for those in cities, it’s worse than the countryside. Cities, with their influx of asphalt and concrete, create an urban heat island effect, making them hotter than the countryside, with temperatures soaring to dangerous record-breaking heights.
This isn’t the first time the continent has experienced soaring temperatures. In 2003, Europe reported its hottest summer on record since 1540, with Amareleja, Portugal, recording a blistering 117 degrees Fahrenheit on August 1, 2003, and 30,000 heat-related deaths. This June, it was Pissos, France, that recorded 117 degrees. “France learned quite a bit after the heatwave back in 2003,” François states. “Still, it seems the country is not really set up for this kind of thing happening over and over.” This week marked the country’s hottest day on record in 80 years, which resulted in power outages for tens of thousands of residents, transportation disruptions, and heat-related deaths. Across Europe, local governments are issuing red alerts, and researchers are predicting summer to be 42-days longer. Heatwaves, storms, and floods are intensifying in both their strength and frequency. And, climate scientists warn that we’ll be experiencing more of these extreme events. And we’re only in June.
Staying Safe During Heatwaves
What Europe is currently experiencing- temperatures soaring above 110 degrees Fahrenheit- is not normal hot weather. Staying safe in scorching heat will be a lesson locals and tourists will need to know now, and the rest of us will likely have to keep in mind for the future as human activity continues to drive global warming.
The most important thing is to take care of your health. Several consecutive days of extreme heat can compromise the body’s ability to regulate its temperature and place stress on the heart and kidneys. This is part of the reason why heat waves threaten both the young and the old (people under 1 year old and over 65 years old). It’s stressful on our bodies, and even if we are not in these demographics, it can still negatively impact our health.
The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends keeping your home cool, staying hydrated, and staying out of the heat to protect your health during heat waves. During the day, close blinds to block out the sun and open windows during the night to allow circulation and cool air. Air conditioners or electric fans are also recommended. Avoid going out in the afternoon and stay indoors during the hottest hours. When venturing outside, wear loose-fitting clothing made from breathable fabrics such as linen and cotton, wear sunglasses with UV protection, and avoid spending extended amounts of time in the direct sun. And, to stay hydrated, be sure to drink 2-3 liters of water daily or about 1 cup every hour.
And, while not directly tied to protecting your health during heat waves, it is advisable to adopt sustainable habits when traveling to avoid contributing to the overarching problem: climate change. As tourists, we can be mindful to carry reusables to reduce our plastic waste, choose public transport when possible, and even travel down the road less traveled to avoid overtourism. Eco-tourism and low-impact activities like cycling or hiking grow in popularity thanks to education campaigns that help visitors and businesses understand how to help protect the environment while enjoying vacations.
Rebuilding Climate-Resilient Infrastructure
The heat wave in Europe has resulted in 400,00 heat-related deaths in the past 4 years. This makes it all the more pressing to note how the continent is responding as the rest of the world continues to be impacted by global warming. “The responses we see now are mostly about alerts and telling people to drink water or close schools for a bit,” François explains. “That helps in the moment, but does not deal with how so many buildings were never meant to handle temperatures like this. Around 50% of the buildings in France need work to cope better with heat. Schools closing show that the buildings themselves are the problem more than anything else. A program to upgrade schools and care homes could help a lot, but it is not clear how fast that will happen.”
In response to this week’s heatwaves, WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus urged world leaders to “prioritize investment in climate-resilient health systems.” And, he’s not the first or last to call for immediate action. With heat waves predicted to become a regular problem, redesigning cities to be more resilient, and businesses must be restructured to prioritize the environment and humanity (sometimes even over profit), is number 11 of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Surprisingly, some of these initiatives are as simple as planting more trees.
“For cities, the practical steps like turning schoolyards into greener spots with more shade seem useful,” François explains. “Paris has tried that approach with the OASIS schoolyard programme. Removing pavement and adding trees, along with better window shades, could make a difference in places like Lyon or Marseille.” The program was initiated after the heatwaves of 2003 and 2017. Cities like Marseille have identified 8,000 mature trees and 300,000 seedlings, which could reduce heat domes and temperatures by 3 to 10 degrees. But, while identifying is a good start, more robust goals, such as replanting trees to achieve 40% of tree cover, must begin immediately. “It feels like these changes need to speed up before the next big heat event,” François states.
As the UK is experiencing its highest June temperatures since records began, and Germany and Spain experience temperatures soaring to 105 degrees, European Union leaders are being called into an emergency summit to discuss the short and long-term measures needed to reduce temperatures and protect the public’s livelihood and health. In tandem with these meetings, the public is responding with calls to immediately phase out fossil fuels, plant trees, and adopt new technologies to drastically reduce greenhouse gases. Yet, while all of these initiatives are in play in some shape or form, echoing François’s statements, they tend to happen slowly, and as this week shows, expediting them would be beneficial.
Data shows that extreme weather like the heat wave in Europe will happen more frequently, and the response shows that we are ill-prepared. Without immediate action, these shifts won’t be temporary. Scientists warn that we are rapidly approaching tipping points that could transform our world with devastating consequences for people and nature. Soon, these will become signs of how a changing climate is affecting everyday life. But these warning signs could also open doors for new ideas and greener options, such as planting trees, regenerative agriculture, sustainable infrastructure, and phasing out fossil fuels.
The message is clear: climate change is not just an environmental issue, and the reaction will change the continent and world to a place where we’ll continue to enjoy the beautiful beaches, charming villages, and rich history, or a heat dome of extreme temperatures and weather patterns threatening our health and way of life. We need our leaders to act now like our future depends on it.
