Too hot to handle: Is this heat the new normal? – DW – 07/01/2025
People the world over are struggling with sweltering hot temperatures fueled by climate change. The summer's first heatwave has a firm grip on Southern Europe, parts of the US and the UK.
Temperatures in southern Spain reached 46 degrees Celsius (115 degrees Fahrenheit) on Saturday which is a new record for June, the national weather agency said. Barcelona has also set a new record as hottest June ever recorded.
Authorities in the Mediterranean have urged people to seek shelter from the heat. France and Italy, among others, have dispatched ambulances near tourist hotspots to treat people suffering from heatstroke.Fires fed by the heat and strong winds broke out on Sunday in France and Turkey, while Greece and Italy have also been fighting fires connected to unusually hot and dry conditions.
Last week, Chinese authorities issued the second-highest heat warning for the capital Beijing and other regions on one of its hottest days of the year. The World Meteorological Organziation says Asia is heating up more than twice as fast as the rest of the world because of its large landmass.
Heatwaves are the deadliest type of extreme weather globally, with hundreds of thousands of people dying from heat-related causes annually. Among the particularly vulnerable are people over 65, pregnant women, children and those with chronic or underlying health conditions.
The first early-season heatwaves are particularly deadly, since people are often less prepared and their bodies haven't yet become accustomed to higher temperatures.
There are three main physical risks associated during with heatwaves: Dehydration, overheating as well as heat exhaustion and heatstroke.
Severe heat does not only impact the body but also disrupts society as we know it. The UN's Children's Fund (UNICEF) says one in 5 kids — that's close to half a billion in total — live in areas that experience at least double the number of extremely hot days per year compared to six decades ago. Many don't have the infrastructure such as air-conditioning to help them cope.
In May, Pakistan experienced a nationwide heatwave that saw temperatures hit 45 degrees Celsius in the country's most populous province of Punjab. Several others cut school hours or started summer holidays early. Heatwaves have also disrupted schooling in South Sudan and the Philipinnes this year.
Equally, extreme heat impacts when people can work. Some countries in hotter parts of the world traditionally take a midday "siesta" break, and now others in ordinarily cooler places are talking about how to manage working hours when temperatures rise.
Infrastructure such as roads, railways and bridges are also impacted by runaway heat. Standard asphalt road surfaces not made for hot weather tend to rut and can literally melt, while railway tracks can buckle under and bridges can expand and deform.
Continuing a trend, 2024 saw the hottest 12-months on record. Based on six international data sets, the WMO recently reported that every year in the past decade features among the top ten for record-breaking temperatures.
"We've had not just one or two record-breaking years, but a full ten-year series. This has been accompanied by devastating and extreme weather, rising sea levels and melting ice, all powered by record-breaking greenhouse gas levels due to human activities," said WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo.
Human-caused climate change has increased the frequency and intensity of heatwaves since the 1950s. Every fraction of a degree of warming matters and will lead to them becoming even stronger and happening yet more often.
Coal, oil and gas are by far the largest contributors to climate change. When these fossil fuels are burned to power combustion engine vehicles, generate electricity, make plastics and heat homes, they release greenhouse gas emissions. These act like a blanket around Earth, trapping the sun's heat and contributing to increasing heatwaves.
Extreme heat can also lead to a greater risk of other types of disasters, such as drought and wildfires.
Healthcare experts advise people to stay out of the heat wherever possible, to avoid strenuous activity and to drink plenty of fluids. But not alcohol or caffeine.Homes can be protected to some degree by drawing blinds or curtains and keeping windows closed during the day and opening them at night when the air is cooler. Dressing for summer in light-colored clothing that reflects heat and sunlight can help, as can electric fans if the temperature is below 35 degrees Celsius.
Long-term strategies to make the heat more bearable include climate-proofing cities by greening spaces and planting trees along streets. This not only provides shade but reduces the heat trapped in concrete.
Overall, experts say boosting the green energy transition by using renewable souces of energy that do not release heat-trapping emissions, is key to keeping global temperatures down.In 2024, 40% of the world's electricity was generated using renewable energy. Solar was the main driver of this trend, according to a report by global energy think tank ember.
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DW
2 hours ago
- DW
Europe heat wave intensifies as temperature records broken – DW – 07/01/2025
As Europe bakes in the summer heat, parts of Italy and France are on red alert, with Spain and Portugal seeing record temperatures. Schools and tourist attractions have closed, and conditions have turned deadly. The world willl have to live with heat waves, according to the World Meterological Organization (WMO). The United Nation's weather and climate agency has said that heat waves could occur more often and be more intense. "As a result of human-induced climate change, extreme heat is becoming more frequent, more intense. It's something we have to learn to live with," said WMO spokewoman Clare Nullis. The heat wave in Europe is the result of strong high pressure system which is trapping hot air from Northern Africa. WMO said early warnings and action plans are crucial in protecting the public. Organizations such as the International Federation of Red Cross (IFRC) are ready to help people across the continent. "Volunteers are giving out water and checking on the most vulnerable populations, including people experiencing homelessness, older people, and outdoor workers," IFRC spokesman Tommaso Della Longa. On Monday, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has warned that the extreme heat is a "new normal." In France, red alerts have been issued for 16 departments, including Paris, with temperatures expected to reach 41 degrees Celsius (105 degrees Fahrenheit). Visitors without tickets are being told to postpone trips to the Eiffel Tower, with the uppermost level remaining closed until Thursday. Operators say the shutdown is "to ensure everyone's comfort and safety." More than 1,300 schools have closed, hospitals are preparing for heat-related cases, and traffic restrictions are in place in Greater Paris. Fire crews are on high alert for wildfires, while heavy storms have triggered mudslides in the Alps. Cooler weather is forecast for the country from Wednesday. Climate experts warn that future summers are set to become hotter than any on record. By 2100, France could be up to 4 C warmer, with temperatures topping 40 C every year and extreme spikes possibly hitting 50 C. Italy's health ministry says 17 of the country's 27 major cities are under a heat wave alert. As the country's north was battered by torrential rain on Monday, parts of Bardonecchia near Turin were left buried in sludge after the Frejus river burst its banks. Near Bologna, one of the cities under alert on Tuesday, a 46-year-old construction company owner collapsed and died while repaving a school parking lot, according to state-run RAI. An autopsy is underway to confirm the cause, but heat is suspected. First of all, those suffering from heat exhaustion should immediately be taken out of the sun, to a cool place or into the shade, and drink water as quickly as possible. Cold, damp cloths can help cool the body. In addition, someone with heat exhaustion should drink plenty of fluids to bring hydration levels back to normal. Cold water or sports drinks replenish lost salts, but avoid alcohol and caffeine. These can dehydrate you even more, on top of excessive sweating, which, according to experts, can cause additional fluid loss of up to 2 liters on very hot days. Until the symptoms get better, you need to rest. It's important to know that in severe cases, severe vomiting, confusion or even unconsciousness can occur. If that happens, you should see a doctor, if only to rule out heat has recorded its highest-ever June temperature at 46.6 degrees Celsius in Mora, east of Lisbon, beating the previous June record from 2017, according to the IPMA weather agency. More than a third of monitoring stations have registered over 40 C on Sunday, with several regions under red alert for extreme heat and wildfire risk. Spain's weather service Aemet says last month has been the hottest June on record nationwide, with an average temperature of 23.6 C. El Granado near Portugal's border reached 46 C on Saturday, a new June high, while Barcelona posted a sweltering 37.6 C — despite its coastal location. Scientists say human-driven climate change is making heat waves more intense, with heat domes trapping hotter air. The German Weather Service said it expected temperatures to cross 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit) this week, with Tuesday and Wednesday set to be the hottest days of the summer so far. German education trade unions have called for nationwide heat protection regulations in schools amid the heatwave. "There must be uniform occupational health and safety regulations for students and school employees," said Anja Bensinger-Stolze, a board member of the Education and Science Union (GEW), in an interview with the Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland (RND) newspapers. In addition to modernizing schools with green roofs and shade sails, Bensinger-Stolze continued, a "nationwide supply of free drinking water" is necessary for all children, young people, and employees. German hospitals are also requesting additional funding to retrofit clinics. "Severe heat poses challenges for hospitals and staff. Due to a lack of investment funds, only a few hospitals have air-conditioned rooms, offices, and waiting rooms," said Gerald Gass, the head of the German Hospital Federation (DKG), in an interview with the newspaper. "In the long term, we need a climate protection and adaptation program to renovate old buildings," he said, adding that this was the only way clinics can protect patients and staff from the consequences of climate change. Currently, hospitals rely on measures such as shading facades and cooling packs, Gass explained. We are following the heat wave in Europe as red alerts are in place across the continent. Here in Germany, temperatures have soared, with some areas in the south expected to reach near 40 degrees Celsius. Two people are suspected to have died because of the heat in Italy and Spain. The heat wave comes as Spain and Portugal announce that heat records were broken in the month of June. We'll bring you the latest updates, explainers and analyses on the extreme weather conditions in Europe.
DW
9 hours ago
- DW
Too hot to handle: Is this heat the new normal? – DW – 07/01/2025
Heatwaves are becoming extreme in many places in the world. Sweltering hot temperatures are putting a strain on our bodies, disrupting society and crippling our infrastructure. Can the world adapt? People the world over are struggling with sweltering hot temperatures fueled by climate change. The summer's first heatwave has a firm grip on Southern Europe, parts of the US and the UK. Temperatures in southern Spain reached 46 degrees Celsius (115 degrees Fahrenheit) on Saturday which is a new record for June, the national weather agency said. Barcelona has also set a new record as hottest June ever recorded. Authorities in the Mediterranean have urged people to seek shelter from the heat. France and Italy, among others, have dispatched ambulances near tourist hotspots to treat people suffering from fed by the heat and strong winds broke out on Sunday in France and Turkey, while Greece and Italy have also been fighting fires connected to unusually hot and dry conditions. Last week, Chinese authorities issued the second-highest heat warning for the capital Beijing and other regions on one of its hottest days of the year. The World Meteorological Organziation says Asia is heating up more than twice as fast as the rest of the world because of its large landmass. Heatwaves are the deadliest type of extreme weather globally, with hundreds of thousands of people dying from heat-related causes annually. Among the particularly vulnerable are people over 65, pregnant women, children and those with chronic or underlying health conditions. The first early-season heatwaves are particularly deadly, since people are often less prepared and their bodies haven't yet become accustomed to higher temperatures. There are three main physical risks associated during with heatwaves: Dehydration, overheating as well as heat exhaustion and heatstroke. Severe heat does not only impact the body but also disrupts society as we know it. The UN's Children's Fund (UNICEF) says one in 5 kids — that's close to half a billion in total — live in areas that experience at least double the number of extremely hot days per year compared to six decades ago. Many don't have the infrastructure such as air-conditioning to help them cope. In May, Pakistan experienced a nationwide heatwave that saw temperatures hit 45 degrees Celsius in the country's most populous province of Punjab. Several others cut school hours or started summer holidays early. Heatwaves have also disrupted schooling in South Sudan and the Philipinnes this year. Equally, extreme heat impacts when people can work. Some countries in hotter parts of the world traditionally take a midday "siesta" break, and now others in ordinarily cooler places are talking about how to manage working hours when temperatures rise. Infrastructure such as roads, railways and bridges are also impacted by runaway heat. Standard asphalt road surfaces not made for hot weather tend to rut and can literally melt, while railway tracks can buckle under and bridges can expand and deform. Continuing a trend, 2024 saw the hottest 12-months on record. Based on six international data sets, the WMO recently reported that every year in the past decade features among the top ten for record-breaking temperatures. "We've had not just one or two record-breaking years, but a full ten-year series. This has been accompanied by devastating and extreme weather, rising sea levels and melting ice, all powered by record-breaking greenhouse gas levels due to human activities," said WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo. Human-caused climate change has increased the frequency and intensity of heatwaves since the 1950s. Every fraction of a degree of warming matters and will lead to them becoming even stronger and happening yet more often. Coal, oil and gas are by far the largest contributors to climate change. When these fossil fuels are burned to power combustion engine vehicles, generate electricity, make plastics and heat homes, they release greenhouse gas emissions. These act like a blanket around Earth, trapping the sun's heat and contributing to increasing heatwaves. Extreme heat can also lead to a greater risk of other types of disasters, such as drought and wildfires. Healthcare experts advise people to stay out of the heat wherever possible, to avoid strenuous activity and to drink plenty of fluids. But not alcohol or can be protected to some degree by drawing blinds or curtains and keeping windows closed during the day and opening them at night when the air is cooler. Dressing for summer in light-colored clothing that reflects heat and sunlight can help, as can electric fans if the temperature is below 35 degrees Celsius. Long-term strategies to make the heat more bearable include climate-proofing cities by greening spaces and planting trees along streets. This not only provides shade but reduces the heat trapped in concrete. Overall, experts say boosting the green energy transition by using renewable souces of energy that do not release heat-trapping emissions, is key to keeping global temperatures 2024, 40% of the world's electricity was generated using renewable energy. Solar was the main driver of this trend, according to a report by global energy think tank ember.
DW
13 hours ago
- DW
Germany updates: Schools call for heat wave measures – DW – 07/01/2025
Amid an ongoing historic heat wave, German educators are calling for more to be done to protect students. Hospitals are also demanding protective measures. DW has more.A wildfire broke out in the largest forest in the city of Dresden in Germany's eastern Saxony state. Around one hectar of forest went ablaze, with the fire already largely being under control. 26 firefighter teams are on site and have already managed to reduce to fire to about 8,000 square meters, the local fire brigades told local outlet Tag24. In light of the heat wave in Germany, with expected temperatures reaching 40 degrees Celsius, education trade unions have called for nationwide heat protection regulations in schools. "There must be uniform occupational health and safety regulations for students and school employees," said Anja Bensinger-Stolze, a board member of the Education and Science Union (GEW), in an interview with the Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland (RND) newspapers. In addition to modernizing schools with green roofs and shade sails, Bensinger-Stolze continued, a "nationwide supply of free drinking water" is necessary for all children, young people, and employees. Additionally, first aid and safety training on how to deal with heat must be offered across the board, she added. Gerhard Brand, the head of the Association for Education and Upbringing (VBE), suggested that spaces outside the school should be used more often during hot times of the year "if it fits with the curriculum." Brand also believes that school authorities have a duty to equip existing school buildings so "learning can be guaranteed even during high outside temperatures." Due to the ongoing heat wave, German hospitals are requesting additional funding to retrofit clinics. "Severe heat poses challenges for hospitals and staff. Due to a lack of investment funds, only a few hospitals have air-conditioned rooms, offices, and waiting roosm," said Gerald Gaß, the head of the German Hospital Federation (DKG), in an interview with the newspaper. "In the long term, we need a climate protection and adaptation program to renovate old buildings," he said, adding that this is the only way clinics can protect patients and staff from the consequences of climate change. Currently, hospitals rely on measures such as shading facades and cooling packs, Gaß explained. Europe is currently experiencing an early and extreme heat wave. Temperatures as high as 40 degrees are expected in Germany by the middle of the week. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video , and welcome to DW's coverage of developments in Germany, from sunny Bonn where we have been feeling the current heatwave that looks set to continue through Tuesday. Temperatures across Germany are set to rise. According to the German Weather Service, it will peak on Wednesday, with local temperatures reaching 40 degrees Celsius and widespread temperatures between 34 and 38 degrees. Meanwhile, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz will receive Luxembourg's Prime Minister, Luc Frieden, in Berlin on Tuesday. The meeting will begin with a reception and military honors at the Federal Chancellery, followed by talks expected to cover foreign and European policy issues, as well as bilateral cooperation. For all of the latest news from Germany, stay tuned here.
