Climate change in Europe

Main

Climate change is the long-term shift in global or regional climate patterns, primarily caused by human activities that increase greenhouse gas emissions. In Europe, climate change is causing a range of impacts, including:

• Europe has experienced a temperature increase of 2.3°C compared to pre-industrial levels as of 2022, making it the fastest warming continent in the world.

• Extreme weather events like heatwaves, droughts, floods, and wildfires are becoming more frequent and severe.

• The warmest decade on record in Europe was 2013-2022.

• In 2023, Europe experienced its second warmest year on record.

• The average sea surface temperature across Europe was the highest on record in 2023.

• Precipitation levels were 7% above average in 2023, raising flood risks in many areas of Europe.

• Glaciers in the European Alps have lost approximately two-thirds of their volume since 1850.

• Arctic sea ice is declining rapidly, with ice-free summers likely to occur frequently under 2°C of warming.

• Insects from warmer regions are spreading northward, increasing the risk of tropical diseases in Europe.

For example, the devastating floods in Germany in June 2024 caused fatalities and significant economic damage.

Terms

• Climate change: A long-term change in the average weather patterns that have come to define Earth's local, regional, and global climates.

• Greenhouse gases: Gases in Earth's atmosphere that can absorb infrared radiation, trapping heat and causing the greenhouse effect. Examples include carbon dioxide, methane, and water vapor.

• Extreme weather events: Severe or unseasonal weather events that can cause significant damage and disruption, such as heatwaves, droughts, floods, and wildfires.

• Sea surface temperature: The water temperature close to the ocean's surface, which can influence weather patterns and marine ecosystems.

• Tropical diseases: Infectious diseases that are commonly found in tropical and subtropical regions, often spread by insects like mosquitoes and ticks.

Analogy

Climate change is like a pot of water on a stove. As the stove (greenhouse gases) heats up the pot (the Earth), the water (climate) inside the pot begins to change. At first, the changes are small and gradual, but as the stove continues to heat up, the water starts to boil and bubble (extreme weather events), causing the pot to overflow and create a mess (impacts on ecosystems and society).

Misconception

Many people believe that climate change is a natural phenomenon and that human activities have little or no impact on the Earth's climate. However, the scientific evidence overwhelmingly shows that human activities, particularly the burning of fossil fuels and deforestation, are the primary drivers of the current rapid warming of the Earth's climate. In fact, the IPCC's Sixth Assessment Report concluded that human influence has warmed the climate at an unprecedented rate.

History

1. 1824: Joseph Fourier discovers the greenhouse effect

2. 1896: Svante Arrhenius calculates that doubling atmospheric CO2 would raise global temperatures by 5-6°C

3. 1938: Guy Callendar links rising temperatures to CO2 emissions

4. 1988: Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) is established

5. 2015: Paris Agreement is adopted, with the goal of limiting global warming to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels

6. 2021-2024: Europe experiences record-breaking temperatures, severe floods, and widespread wildfires, highlighting the urgent need for climate action

How to use it

1. Reduce your carbon footprint by walking, cycling, or using public transport instead of driving, eating a more plant-based diet, and reducing energy consumption at home.

2. Support politicians and policies that prioritize climate action, such as investing in renewable energy, phasing out fossil fuels, and protecting natural carbon sinks like forests and wetlands.

3. Learn about the diseases that are common in warmer regions, as they may spread to your area due to climate change. Stay informed about prevention methods and symptoms to protect yourself and your family.

Facts

• The last seven years (2015-2021) were the warmest on record globally.

• The number of climate-related disasters in Europe has increased by 33% in the last 20 years compared to the previous 20 years.

• The economic losses from weather and climate extremes in Europe reached €12 billion per year on average between 1980 and 2020.

• The EU aims to be climate-neutral by 2050, with an intermediate target of reducing net greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030 compared to 1990 levels.

• In 2024, the European Commission proposed a new EU Forest Strategy to improve the quantity and quality of EU forests as part of the European Green Deal.