A recent report issued by the World Meteorological Organization pointed out that due to the impact of climate change, the high temperature in many parts of Europe in the summer of 2021 will break records, and related extreme weather will increase significantly.

　　On August 11, Sicily, Italy, reported a high temperature of 48.8°C, which surpassed the highest temperature in the history of the European continent recorded in Athens in 1977-48°C.

Many European governments and some research institutions believe that the raging wildfires in many European countries this summer is related to the increase in extreme weather caused by climate change.

　　Since July this year, mountain fires have occurred in many parts of Italy, and the severe fire situation lasted until early August.

According to the report, more than 150,000 hectares of land in Italy were damaged by fire this year; in Sicily alone, more than 78,000 hectares of land were burned.

　　Since August, about 600 wildfires have occurred in Greece.

In less than two weeks, nearly 100,000 hectares of forest and farmland in Greece were burned. The speed and the area affected by the disaster exceeded previous years. At least two people were killed and dozens of people were injured.

　　In addition, data from the Spanish National Meteorological Agency showed that the highest temperature in the country reached 47.4°C on August 14, the highest temperature on record.

A forest fire broke out in the province of Avila in central Spain that day. The fire burned raging for nearly a week, covering an area of ​​22,000 hectares, the worst fire in the area in the past 40 years.

　　The World Meteorological Organization's report analyzes that as the heat wave continues, more European countries may report record-breaking high temperatures in the short term, and the risk of wildfires will increase.

　　The report pointed out that in the past few decades, the frequency and intensity of extreme high temperature weather including ocean heat waves have increased in Europe. This trend is likely to continue. Europe needs to be prepared for possible high temperatures exceeding 50°C in the future.

(Producing Li Jiali)

Editor in charge: 【Luo Pan】