Europe is experiencing a historic heatwave with temperatures soaring above 46℃ in many places. The heatwave has brought various impacts, and experts warn of more frequent extreme heat in the future.
Europe is currently in the grip of a historic heatwave, with temperatures in many areas soaring above 46℃. This unprecedented heat has swept across the continent, from Portugal to Germany, and from France to Greece, setting new temperature records.
Record - Breaking Temperatures
According to the Copernicus report by the EU climate monitoring agency, June 2025 was the hottest June on record in Europe. In Mora, Portugal, the average daily temperature in June reached 46.6℃, breaking the country’s record. Seville, Spain, exceeded 44℃ for three consecutive days, and many places were put on "extreme temperature red alert". Even the UK, known for its mild climate, was not spared. The temperature at London Heathrow Airport reached 33.6℃ in June, breaking the local June record.
Impacts of the Heatwave
The heatwave has had a significant impact on various aspects of European life. In Spain, as of July 19, 1,180 people had died from heat - related diseases, a ten - fold increase compared to the same period last year. The high temperature also triggered forest fires in many places, such as in Madrid and Catalonia. In addition, the heatwave has put a lot of pressure on hospitals, with emergency and nursing services facing huge challenges.
Moreover, the heatwave has affected tourism. In many tourist cities in Italy, Greece and Turkey, the daily temperature has exceeded 42℃ for many days, resulting in a sharp drop in the number of tourists. The Acropolis in Athens had to be temporarily closed at noon due to the "slab heatwave" reflection effect, and some tourists even fainted from heatstroke.
Coping with the Heatwave
Unlike in Asia and North America, the air - conditioning penetration rate in Europe is relatively low. Due to reasons such as environmental protection, the difficulty of renovating historic buildings, and high labor costs, most European families and workplaces do not have air - conditioning. Therefore, people have to rely on "physical cooling" methods such as wet towels, ice - filled basins, and tiled floors to deal with the extreme weather.
On social media, the "#NoACChallenge" has become a hot topic. People are sharing their own cooling methods, such as moving their beds to the basement, setting up tents at home, and using the combination of "fan + ice bowl" to create a "mini - homemade air - conditioner".
Experts’ Warnings and Future Prospects
Meteorological experts say that this heatwave came earlier, lasted longer, and had a wider range than in previous years. The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) points out that such extreme heatwaves will become more frequent and deadlier in the future due to climate change.
Climate scientist Frederick Otto warns that if we do not stop burning fossil fuels, these deadly heatwaves will only become more frequent and destructive. The EU is quickly formulating response strategies, including increasing urban greenery, promoting reflective roofs, and introducing spray systems, to deal with the urban heat island effect.
In conclusion, the historic heatwave in Europe has敲响了 the alarm for climate change. It is time for Europe and the world to take more effective measures to address this global challenge.