Europe is grappling with an unprecedented heatwave, with temperatures soaring above 40°C (104°F) in multiple countries. Wildfires have erupted across Spain, France, and Greece, forcing evacuations and straining emergency services. The prolonged drought has disrupted agriculture, with crop yields projected to drop by 15-20%, while low river levels threaten critical shipping routes like the Rhine.
Meteorologists attribute the crisis to a stalled high-pressure system trapping hot air over the continent. "This isn’t just a summer anomaly—it’s a climate shift," said Dr. Elena Kovac, a climatologist at the European Climate Institute. "Droughts are becoming the new normal, demanding global adaptation strategies."
The economic toll is mounting, with energy demand surging due to air conditioning use and hydropower capacity falling by 30% in Italy. EU officials are urging member states to accelerate emissions-reduction targets ahead of November’s COP27 summit.
