European Commissioner for crisis management Hadja Lahbib has dismissed claims by climate sceptics that Europe's increasingly destructive wildfire seasons are simply the result of hot summers, describing the blazes sweeping southern Europe as "the biggest wake-up call" in years.
"Climate change is not knocking at our door. It is here," Lahbib told Euronews in an exclusive interview from France.
"They (climate deniers) should come here and see the situation, open their eyes."
Her comments echo those of EU competition chief Teresa Ribera, who told Euronews that climate deniers are "giving alcohol to alcoholics and telling them it's okay to drive." In a separate interview with Euronews, she described it as "dangerous and stupid."
The Belgian Commissioner spoke after touring the fire-ravaged Gironde region by helicopter, where more than 42,000 hectares have been destroyed in what French authorities describe as one of the country's worst wildfire disasters in decades.
