A widespread heat wave continues to grip Western Europe, with scientists warning that the extreme temperatures would have been “virtually impossible” without human-driven climate change. A rapid analysis by the World Weather Attribution group found that such events are now up to 200 times more likely compared to conditions just two decades ago.
The study shows that millions of people across countries including France, Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom have been exposed to temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit). Persistent high nighttime temperatures are also preventing bodies from recovering, intensifying the health impact of the heat. Researchers estimate that nearly half of the 850 European cities examined are either already experiencing or approaching record heat-stress levels when both heat and humidity are considered.
Climate scientists stressed the accelerating trend, noting that a similar heat event in the 1970s would have been significantly cooler both during the day and at night. Friederike Otto of Imperial College London said, “We put out similar quotes year after year, reacting to heat extremes that climb ever higher.” She added, “Yes, this is climate change, yes, it’s us, no, it’s not El Nino. Yes, we have the solutions. No, we’re not implementing them fast enough.”
