0 comments
The recent heatwaves across the UK and Europe were only possible due to climate change. Yet, despite the alarming conditions, adaptation to this new normal is happening far too slowly.
You might’ve noticed things are a little warmer across Europe this week. Whether you’re escaping to the office just for AC, or battling a sweaty commute on public transport, cities across the continent have been grappling with temperatures of 37 degrees Celsius and higher.
London’s June heat record was obliterated on Wednesday, and Paris authorities enforced strict measures to ensure people didn’t risk their lives when celebrating the iconic Fête de la Musique.
Heatwaves like this are becoming more common, and every summer – in London at least – we’re woefully unprepared. Fans sell out online, schools are forced to close, and entire infrastructural systems are impacted, from deliveries to food services to electricity providers.
So why, if rising temperatures are to be the new normal in Europe, are we a continent so ill-equipped to deal with it?
The most obvious reason is that many cities in Western Europe only experience extreme heat for a few days each year, making long-term solutions extremely costly.
Air conditioning illustrates the dilemma perfectly. In countries such as Spain and Italy, it is a normal feature of everyday life. In Britain, however, it remains a luxury rather than a necessity. Installing it on a large scale would help people cope with extreme heat, but it would also increase energy demand and, if powered by fossil fuels, contribute further to the problem.
The sporadic nature of European heatwaves also means we’re quick to deny the reality of our situation. Cities like London are widely associated with grey, wet weather. But the reality is that Europe is the world’s fastest-warming continent.
That’s not to say global warming isn’t impacting every country across the globe, but local factors determine how excess heat is distributed, leading to a variation in temperature growth.
In the far north of Europe, a warmer atmosphere is melting sea ice that once covered huge areas of the Arctic, leaving more ocean bare, more dark surface to absorb the sun’s energy, and a warmer climate overall.
Major cities like London and Paris also emit huge amounts of emissions, which contribute to extreme temperatures in highly populated areas.
So while this week’s heatwave may only last a few days, it’s proving that extreme spikes in temperature – not incremental jumps – are growing more common. Sharp changes in weather like this pose a serious risk to life, not just for vulnerable communities but for everyone.
In temperatures above 37 degrees, our bodies are unable to regulate themselves, and our basic functions require far more effort. That places a strain on vital organs like the heart and lungs.
The danger is compounded by the fact that Europe’s infrastructure was largely designed for a different climate. Our homes were built to keep heat in, as the tropical nights spent beside a measly electric fan have proven.
