Half of the European continent is in the grip of unprecedented heat. Fires are burning forests, crops are dying in drought, and thousands of people are dying of heatstroke. The issues of resistance to heating come up again.
The heat in Europe is breaking records, even in the Nordic countries. So, for example, in Great Britain, associated with fogs and cool dampness, a historical record was set the day before – more than 40 degrees Celsius.
A red alert was declared in the Netherlands, and authorities closed childcare facilities across the country. In Ireland, the record of 1887 was broken.
Portugal, France, Spain and Greece are battling wildfires. In some regions, authorities immediately evacuated local residents. More than 14,000 people have been evacuated in southwestern France because of the fire.
It’s been almost a week of heat in Europe. In Portugal alone, over a thousand people died during this period. A temperature record was recorded in the country – in the small town of Alizho, a few days ago, thermometers rose to 47 degrees Celsius.
Due to the energy crisis and gas blackmail by Russia in connection with the war against Ukraine, the authorities of several European countries are urging residents to conserve electricity and not use air conditioning. But, perhaps, it will not be needed soon, because according to weather forecasts, the abnormal heat will begin to recede this week. Correspondent.net says what the press writes.
Europe is in the grip of extreme heat
Politico, Britain
For the first time in its history, the UK Met Office announced a red level of danger due to abnormal temperatures, indicating a risk to life … The publication asks: why are the British panicking, because such temperatures is normal for many countries?
Climatologists explain that in the UK and Northern Europe, buildings are designed for a temperature of +20 degrees. They are built in such a way as to keep the heat inside, but not to remove it.
Almost no one has an air conditioner, and even a little over the limit level makes it impossible to stay indoors. Also, when designing cities, population access to shady parks and water is not always taken into account. Authorities are forced to urgently find ways to help the most vulnerable.
High energy prices are also a new opportunity
Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, Germany
The increase in gas prices is an important advantage in terms of energy supply: higher prices create an incentive to use this scarce resource as economically as possible. In some cases, it is starting to pay to invest in expensive alternatives that were previously avoided mainly for cost reasons…
In an optimistic scenario, Germany will overcome this crisis and become a country with less dependence on individual states, with a wide variety of energy suppliers – and more income from renewable energy sources.
The country needs to be rebuilt
NRC Handelsblad, The Netherlands
As heat becomes more common, associated with global warming, it is important not only to limit the use of fossil fuels and reduce CO2 emissions, but also to prepare the Netherlands for heat.
As we once imagined the consequences of rising sea levels and flooding rivers. And this means that it is necessary to adapt the built-up surrounding area …
It also requires a different attitude towards one’s own home… As well as a different attitude towards the architecture and inner structure of the city.
Transport collapse
Sky News, UK
By rail, train delays and even cancellations are possible. Also, flights from some UK airports have been suspended due to the heat. The coating of the runways melted and became viscous. Utilities sprinkle sand on roads and urge residents not to use transportation unless absolutely necessary.
“They don’t fuss much when it’s hot in Spain”
Spain yesterday:pic.twitter.com/rOpae1XsAI
— Tom Hale🐐 (@tommyhale91) July 19, 2022
Labor law must adapt to climate change
Suddeutsche Zeitung, Germany
In this “brave new world of heat” new, detailed rules are needed. Citizens need the right to leave because of the heat … To work when the eyes are filled with sweat is still a pleasure.
If you continue to work in such heat, then the possibility of mistakes and accidents will increase … All businesses should be required to develop effective plans to protect employees from heat.
Work groups need to be educated about the dangers of heat – and what can be done to protect against it. Yes, there are big costs ahead. But this is no longer a surprise: climate change is costing us a pretty penny.
Saving energy is our duty
El País, Spain
The government and the opposition are pushing hard to demand and get the discounts and subsidies on energy consumption needed to meet the basic needs of those who really need it. But at the same time, they are completely irresponsible in encouraging more energy consumption by the majority of the population…
Radical measures to save energy should be mandatory, and not just a recommendation in nature… We must remember that we are the citizens who [во время пандемии] exemplary adherence to strict sanitary guidelines…
Do we really need 20 degrees to keep selling – or working in an office?
The nightmare became reality
Le Quotidien, Luxembourg
We will have to choose, and even invent new words, stronger than “apocalypse” to somehow designate the coming heat waves that will hit Europe almost every summer when a temperature record breaks the first
You have to get used to the weather forecast, which promises 40 degrees of heat even at night. And get used to official messages on our smartphones that heat is a threat to human life…
And you also have to get used to limiting your water intake, which becomes less as a result of more frequent drought periods. We don’t have to think about the nightmare that awaits us as a result of global warming. We are living in this nightmare.
Big fire in the countryside
Economist, Britain
Spain, France and Italy are on fire. Almost 30,000 hectares of land burned in Portugal – five times the size of Manhattan. Analysts warn that the yield of some crops has died – no olives and arborio rice this season.
The latest scenes from Spain, oh, wait..sorry, it’s Dartford.
There are huge fires all over the UK
Shut up with your stupid minimizing tweets, you look utterly ridiculous. #ClimateEmergency #heatwave #ClimateCrisis pic.twitter.com/t2u5t8G6lT
— Brendan May (@bmay) July 19, 2022
Exchanges are falling at high prices
Bloomberg, USA
Paris futures for corn and soybeans rose 1.5-2 percent. Rystad Energy, an expert agency, predicts that the heat will accelerate the energy crisis heading for Europe since the first day of the military operation in Ukraine. The European Union will face energy shortages even before the cold season begins.
Electricity production is limited because natural gas plants are less efficient at high temperatures and nuclear generators struggle to keep their systems cool. In winter, gas levels in Europe’s storage facilities will be below normal, Bloomberg added.
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Source: korrespondent
I am David Wyatt, a professional writer and journalist for Buna Times. I specialize in the world section of news coverage, where I bring to light stories and issues that affect us globally. As a graduate of Journalism, I have always had the passion to spread knowledge through writing.