EU Climate Monitor Sounds Alarm: Climate Change Persists Despite Global Heat Record Ending

This past July was marked by extreme global heat, ranking as the third warmest month on record, according to the EU’s Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S). It was slightly cooler than the hottest Julys of 2023 and 2024. Still, it was 1.25°C warmer than the average temperatures from 1850 to 1900, reflecting ongoing climate shifts. Carlo Buontempo, the director of C3S, commented that while the record-breaking heat trend might pause, it doesn’t mean climate change has slowed down. The impacts, like intense heat and floods, were evident last month.

In Europe, July stood out as the fourth warmest. Some regions experienced shocking heat. For instance, parts of Fennoscandia recorded temperatures above 30°C for 13 consecutive days, with Norway experiencing its third hottest month since 1901, 2.8°C above usual. Finland faced an unprecedented heatwave lasting three weeks, a record since 1961. Finnish climate scientist Mika Rantanen noted the extraordinary nature of this heat.

In Türkiye, temperatures soared to 50.5°C on July 25, while 132 weather stations reported high readings. Spain faced intense heat, leading to over 1,000 heat-related deaths last month, a staggering increase from the previous year.

While some regions were drying up, others were drowning in rainfall. Central Europe and parts of northern France experienced heavy precipitation, leading to severe flooding in southern France and Paris. Spain too faced torrential rain, with the weather service noting over 10 centimeters of rain near Barcelona within hours.

The extreme weather increased the risk of wildfires. Unusually dry spring conditions fueled flames across southern Europe. By mid-July, Spain dealt with multiple fires, while Portugal reported over 3,000 incidents, damaging more land than the year before. Overall, more than 353,000 hectares burned across the EU this year, more than double last year’s numbers.

In addition to the heat on land, sea temperatures also hit alarming highs. The overall sea temperatures for July were among the warmest on record, with areas like the Norwegian Sea and North Atlantic reaching record levels. The UK’s Met Office flagged significant marine heatwaves, with waters off the coast much warmer than typical for this time of year.

As the climate crisis continues, it’s vital to understand how these weather patterns affect ecosystems and communities. The record temperatures and extreme weather events serve as a stark reminder of the urgent need for action on climate change. Preparing for these changes is crucial to mitigate future impacts.

For further insights on climate data and trends, you can refer to reports from Copernicus Climate Change Service and the EU.

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