A severe heatwave is sweeping across Europe, with temperatures soaring into the 40s. New weather maps show that parts of Greece, Italy, Portugal, and Algeria could experience temperatures as high as 41°C this week.
This extreme heat is worsening conditions in already stressed areas. Greece recently reported six tourist deaths due to record-breaking temperatures. The Acropolis in Athens has had to shut down during peak heat hours after a tourist collapsed while waiting for tickets.
According to Irish Mirror. Northern Spain and southern France are experiencing more moderate temperatures in the mid-20s. Toulouse, for example, is averaging 24°C, while Bilbao is slightly cooler at 23°C.
Climate scientists report that Europe is warming faster than any other continent, with its temperature increase nearly double the global average. This rapid warming poses significant risks to human health, glaciers, and economic activities.
The UN’s World Meteorological Organization and the European Union’s climate agency, Copernicus, have warned of these dangers. They urge Europe to accelerate the shift towards renewable energy sources like wind, solar, and hydroelectric power.
Europe is already making progress in this area, generating 43 percent of its electricity from renewable sources last year, up from 36 percent the previous year. For the second consecutive year, renewables have surpassed fossil fuels in powering the continent.
Europe’s five-year average temperatures are now 2.3°C above pre-industrial levels, nearing the 1.5°C global warming cap set by the 2015 Paris Climate Accord. This puts Europe at a higher increase compared to the global average of 1.3°C.
Officials are issuing heatwave advisories to tourists visiting Europe for their summer vacations. Greek travel agency boss Stefanos Sidiropoulos advises holidaymakers to prepare for the “difficult” weather and the need to acclimate. “People coming from colder places like Northern Europe or Canada need time to adapt to these conditions,” he told CNN.