Europe Scorched by Record-Breaking Heatwaves: Wildfires, Health Alerts, and Climate Alarm

Southern Europe under Seige as Temperature is reaching over 46 Degrees Celsius

As our climatic extremes keep gathering pace, Southern Europe is experiencing some of the hottest heat waves ever with highs reaching above 46 o C (115 o F) in parts of Spain, Italy, and France. The scorching temperatures have led to health emergencies, wild fires and marked ads to daily existence.

Spain and France Have Been hit the Most

At the AEMET national weather service in Spain, residents in Seville, Cordoba and portions of Extremadura experienced temperatures spikes where the mercury topped 46 C (115 F). Similarly high records were registered in France, where the territories of the Occitanie and Provence regions were declared on alert, as almost a third of the state is covered with an Orange Alert.

The number of heat-related diseases has mushroomed in hospitals in Marseille, Toulouse and Madrid particularly among older citizens and workers in the open environment.

Italy Stops Out-Door Labor

Italy has come up with a historical step, temporary prohibition of outdoor work in certain regions of the country between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m., in particular in the southern provinces, such as Calabria and Sicily. Such areas as construction and agricultural work are mostly impacted.

Italian health ministry also introduced informational campaigns to persuade citizens to remain inside, drink plenty of water and not to travel during the hottest hours of the day

Wildfires This week gripped Turkey and Greece as fires raged over vast swathes of the two countries.

Megafires have erupted in Izmir in Turkey. Helicopters and firemen have been used, with dry forest and brush burning up huge swathes of land. Equally dangerous fire dangers are approaching Greece where Peloponnese and Attica regions are on high-alert because of dry winds and rising temperatures.

Evacuations are underway as villages on the coast are up in flames with smoke visible in satellite images even in space.

Climate Scientists sound Grim Alarms

Meteorologists and climatologists may have traced such a heatwave to a long spell of high-pressure system and the global warming caused by climatic change. July is usually hot around Europe but scientists are long predicting that this kind of intense and early heat will be the norm as opposed to the exception in the near future.

It is not a regular heatwave these days. Here is the face of a warming world,”

said Dr. Leo Marchand, a climatologist at CNRS in France

At-Risk Afflicted Populations

People at greatest risk include children, the elderly and persons with chronic maladies.

In urban centers, shelters and open cooling stations have been established.

In some regions in Spain, schools were closed or online.

Economic and Tourism Impact

Critically affected is the tourism industry which is one of the major players in the summer months. There have been cases of tourists touring Rome, Barcelona and Athens and collapsing in the process of taking in the tour. Companies are reducing the number of hours and hotel reservations are being canceled because of safety reasons.

In Conclusion: Urgency is needed

This new European heat wave is not a new surprise of weather conditions but a warning. The necessity to adapt to the changing climate, secure reductions in emissions, and embrace international diplomacy have never been as acute as now when the change in the climate provokes more extreme conditions.

Governments are invited to:

Increase green parks in urban areas

Strengthen early warning systems