Europe faced a year of unprecedented climate extremes in 2023, with record-breaking heat waves, devastating floods, and catastrophic wildfires, according to a joint report by the EU’s Copernicus Climate Change Service and the U.N.’s World Meteorological Organization.
The report highlighted the alarming increase in “extreme heat stress” days across the continent, with Europe experiencing a record number of days with temperatures exceeding 46 degrees Celsius. These extreme heat events posed a significant threat to public health, particularly for vulnerable populations such as the elderly and those with preexisting health conditions.
While 2023 was not the hottest summer on record in Europe, it was marked by prolonged heat waves that persisted from June to September. Southern Europe was particularly hard hit, with an unprecedented 13% of the continent experiencing high levels of heat stress on July 23.
The report also noted the impact of climate change on other extreme weather events, including widespread flooding affecting 1.6 million people and storms impacting another 550,000. The economic cost of these disasters was estimated at €13.4 billion ($14.3 billion), with flooding accounting for the majority of the damages.
Scientists warned that Europe is warming at twice the global average rate, leading to longer and more intense heat waves in the future. The report emphasized the urgent need for stronger interventions to address the growing health risks associated with extreme heat events.
As the effects of climate change continue to escalate, the report underscored the importance of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and implementing measures to mitigate the impact of extreme weather events on public health and the environment.