Europe is apparently not preparing enough for the climate crisis

Enlarge image

Construction workers in the heat: People who work outside are particularly at risk, according to the report

Photo: Florian Gaertner/dpa

Global warming is progressing - according to an EU authority, Europe is inadequately preparing for the effects.

European strategies and adaptation measures have not kept pace with rapidly worsening risks, the European Environment Agency (EEA) said in its first climate risk assessment report for Europe (EUCRA).

Many measures would take a long time to be implemented.

According to the EEA, Europe is the fastest warming continent.

Since the 1980s, warming on the European mainland has been about twice as fast as the global average.

“Our new analysis shows that Europe is facing urgent climate risks that are evolving faster than our societal preparedness,” said EEA Executive Director Leena Ylä-Mononen.

»So this is the new normal.

And it should be a wake-up call, the final wake-up call.”

More than 30 major risks

In the report, the researchers name 36 major climate risks - from the effects of drought and heat, floods, fires to financial consequences.

Overall, the experts name five major areas in which climate developments pose existential threats: ecosystems, nutrition, health, infrastructure as well as economy and finance.

The risks that heat and drought pose to crop cultivation not only affect the south, but also the countries of Central Europe.

“In particular, persistent and widespread droughts pose a significant threat to yields, food security and drinking water supplies,” said the EEA.

Heat is the greatest and most urgent climate risk to human health, the researchers write.

People who work outdoors, older people and people who live in poorly insulated apartments or in urban areas with a strong heat island effect are particularly at risk.

In southern Europe, heat and droughts also pose a significant risk to energy production and transmission.

The European economic and financial system is also affected, writes the EEA.

For example, climate extremes could lead to increases in insurance premiums, jeopardize assets and mortgages, and result in higher spending and borrowing costs for the government.

Catastrophic consequences feared

According to the evaluation, many of the identified climate risks in Europe have already reached a “critical level”.

More than half (21 of 36) require more commitment and speed of action immediately - eight of the risks are even "particularly urgent".

Ecosystems that protect people from heat must be preserved.

At the same time, people and structures must be protected from floods and forest fires.

“If decisive action is not taken now, most of the identified climate risks could reach critical or catastrophic levels by the end of this century,” the experts write in the report.

And further: "Hundreds of thousands of people would die from heat waves, and the economic losses from coastal flooding alone could amount to more than a trillion euros per year."

Depending on their nature, each of these risks individually has the potential to cause significant environmental damage, economic damage, social distress and political turmoil.

In combination, the effects are likely to be even more drastic.

South particularly at risk

According to the report, the hotspots of regions at risk from climate risks include southern Europe.

Countries in the south are particularly affected by forest fires, heat and water shortages.

In addition to the impact on agriculture and the general high risk of fire, people's health is at great risk.

»In the summer of 2022, between 60,000 and 70,000 premature deaths in Europe were due to the heat.

The heat risk for the population is already critical in southern Europe, but also in many cities," said EEA Executive Director Leena Ylä-Mononen, according to the statement.

But low-lying coastal regions, including many densely populated cities, are also hotspots for climate risks.

Sea levels on Europe's coasts are rising at an increasing rate every year.

This increases the risk of flooding and storm surges, according to the EEA.

“Sea levels will continue to rise for centuries or even millennia after global temperatures stabilize,” it continues.

Effective adaptation measures and increased social precautionary measures could help limit or reduce the negative impacts in the future.

According to the EEA assessment, to address climate risks in Europe, the EU and its member states must work together and also involve the regional and local levels.

ani/dpa