Europe is currently experiencing the effects of climate change at an alarming rate, with temperatures rising at twice the global average. According to reports from the U.N.’s World Meteorological Organization and Copernicus, this trend is causing significant consequences for human health, glacier melt, and economic activity across the continent.
One of the key findings in the report is that Europe has the opportunity to combat climate change by transitioning to renewable resources such as wind, solar, and hydroelectric power. In fact, last year, Europe generated 43% of its electricity from renewables, surpassing fossil fuels for the second consecutive year.
Despite these efforts, temperatures in Europe have still risen by 2.3 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. The report warns of increasing climate extremes, including record temperatures, wildfires, heat waves, glacier ice loss, and lack of snowfall. Copernicus reported record monthly temperatures for 10 straight months, with the average sea-surface temperature hitting its highest annual level in 2023.
Tragically, deaths related to heat have risen across the continent, with more than 150 lives lost directly last year. Economic losses related to weather- and climate-related events in 2023 were estimated at over 13.4 billion euros, impacting hundreds of thousands of people in Europe. Glacier ice loss in the Alps has reached about 10% over the last two years.
While overall temperatures in Europe have been higher than average, some regions like Scandinavia and Iceland have seen temperatures below average. This highlights the urgent need for action on a global scale to address climate change before it’s too late.
