01-07-2025
Europe heatwaves shatter temperature records as England reaches 33.6 Celsius; UN says world will have to 'live with them'
Record-breaking heatwaves have been ravaging Europe throughout the summer, with citizens feeling the pressure of more extreme weather in ways they never anticipated. Temperature records peaked in England, with a peak of 33.6 Celsius that could very well increase to 35 Celsius.
A lot of European countries are used to temperate climates, leaving many households without air conditioning.
People in these places are being forced to adjust to a difficult new way of living, with many of them having to employ unorthodox solutions, such as closing their shutters or putting towels in the freezer, to beat the heat.
The United Nations has predicted that such heatwaves will become the new normal going forward, with the World Meteorological Organization stating that they may continue rising in intensity thanks to climate change.
Europeans struggle with massive heatwaves
A heat wave is raising temperatures to dangerous levels across much of Europe, just days after a heat wave in North America saw over 3,000 temperature records @MichaelEMann describes how these 'heat domes' occur.
Temperatures have been spiking across European countries including England, France and Italy. Residents of these areas have been forced to adjust to uncomfortable temperatures that they haven't had to deal with until recently.
For instance, The Guardian reported that a pet owner in southern France was forced to drive an hour away to a pet-friendly hotel, just because she was worried about her dog's health. Another Europe resident ended buying a mobile air conditioning unit in order to deal with the increasingly harsh summers.
Governments in certain European cities have been forced to get creative in order to help residents manage the heatwave. In Rotterdam, the schools have shortened school hours and allowed additional water breaks, while in Venice, senior citizens over the age of 75 are being offered free guided tours of air-conditioned museums and other public buildings.
Record temperatures may be a sign of climate change
VIDEO: 🌡️☀️ Southern Europe, Britain swelter as temperatures soarA heatwave is gripping much of Europe, prompting authorities to issue health and wildfire warnings. France, Italy and Portugal have seen hot weather for days, with 46 degrees Celsius in southern Spain#AFPVertical
The United Nations' World Meteorological Organization has characterized Europe's heatwaves as a consequence of man-made climate change.
The emission of greenhouse gases has become one of the most pressing environmental issues of contemporary times, and it has resulted in significant political polarization in countries such as the United States, where President Donald Trump has openly doubted the scientific consensus on the matter.
The World Meteorological Organization's prediction that heatwaves will continue to get more intense is an indication that rising global temperatures are yet to be halted.
