The European continent is grappling with escalating climate risks and remains unprepared to handle them, according to a groundbreaking report by the European Environment Agency (EEA) released on Monday.
Leena Ylä-Mononen, the EEA's executive director, highlighted that Europe is experiencing more frequent and severe weather events, including wildfires, droughts, unusual rainfall patterns, and flooding. These climate extremes are outpacing societal preparedness, posing significant threats to energy, food security, water resources, and public health.
The report identified 36 major climate risks impacting Europe, ranging from ecosystem and economic threats to challenges in health and food systems. Over half of these risks require immediate action, with eight classified as urgent. Key areas needing swift attention include conserving ecosystems, safeguarding populations against heatwaves, protecting infrastructure from floods and wildfires, and securing disaster relief funds.
Europe is currently the fastest-warming continent, having warmed twice as quickly as other regions since the 1980s. This rapid temperature increase has intensified rainfall and flooding events and is expected to lead to reduced rainfall and more severe droughts in southern Europe.
Without decisive and urgent measures, many of the identified climate risks could escalate into catastrophic scenarios. The EEA recommends enhanced collaboration between the EU, member states, and regional and local authorities to mitigate these risks and improve adaptation strategies.
Manon Dufour, Brussels director for climate think tank E3G, described the report as "a huge wake-up call" for Europe. She emphasized that the findings could influence climate policy at both European and national levels, urging leaders to integrate climate considerations into broader security and economic strategies.
Despite some progress, such as effective coastal flood management and improvements in handling heat-related health risks, experts like Julie Berckmans from the EEA stress that much more needs to be done. Heat stress levels are reaching critical points, and better spatial planning is essential to address future health risks.
The European Commission is set to present its action plan on Tuesday in response to the EEA's findings. Tim McPhie, an EU Commission spokesperson, reiterated the report's urgency, stating that it offers a clear warning and a call to action for the future.
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The European continent is not ready for extreme climate events
cgtn.com
