Southern Europe is currently experiencing a series of intense heatwaves, significantly impacting the region's population and environment. These extreme weather events, linked to climate change, are becoming increasingly frequent and severe.
Italy recorded a high of 9.5°C at Capanna Margherita, situated at 4,554 meters above sea level on June 25th. Bologna reached 38.2°C on June 26th, the highest June temperature on record for the city. The Italian Ministry of Health declared the highest alert level in 27 monitored cities, including Rome and Milan.
Greece faced a wildfire on Chios Island on June 22nd, leading to the evacuation of 17 communities. In the same period, fires destroyed at least 20 homes in Palaia Fokaia and Thymari, with over 1,000 people evacuated. Athens saw temperatures exceeding 40°C on June 27th, prompting tourists and locals to seek shelter.
Spain saw a record high of 40.0°C in Huelva on June 19th. Cordoba reached 42.0°C on June 21st, and a 58-year-old man became the first heatstroke fatality in Andalusia this year. Portugal's Lisbon saw temperatures rise above 42°C during the day on June 28th. A high-level alert was issued across two-thirds of Portugal due to extreme heat and fire risk on Sunday.
Experts attribute these increasingly frequent and intense heatwaves to climate change, warning of more extreme weather events in Southern Europe. Studies show a 30% increase in heatwave-related deaths in Europe over the past 20 years. Furthermore, extreme temperatures could lead to up to 2.3 million deaths in Europe by the end of this century if additional climate change mitigation measures are not implemented. These heatwaves highlight the urgent need for climate change prevention and adaptation measures to protect populations and the environment from the growing frequency of extreme weather events.