· 2 min read
illuminem summarizes for you the essential news of the day. Read the full piece on Earth.org or enjoy below:
🗞️ Driving the news: Europe has experienced unprecedented heat levels, with 2023 being its warmest or second-warmest year on record, depending on the dataset
• This heat has caused numerous extreme weather events and a significant increase in heat-related deaths
🔭 The context: The Copernicus Climate Change Service and the World Meteorological Organization's joint report highlights extreme weather patterns including record heat, scarce snowfall, and intense marine heatwaves across Europe
• The continent is warming twice as fast as the global average
🌍 Why it matters for the planet: Europe's rising temperatures affect human health, ecosystems, and economic stability
• Extreme heat is causing significant glacier ice loss in the Alps and exacerbating wildfires, particularly in Mediterranean regions
⏭️ What's next: The report suggests that the trends of extreme weather and increased temperatures will continue
• This emphasizes the importance of leveraging science and policy to mitigate the impacts of climate change in Europe and globally
💬 One quote: "The climate crisis is the biggest challenge of our generation
• The cost of climate action may seem high, but the cost of inaction is much higher," (WMO secretary-general Celeste Saulo)
📈 One stat: Heat-related mortality in Europe has increased by about 30% in the past two decades
Click for more news covering the latest on climate change
