Extreme heat in Europe ‘a brutal reminder’ of climate crisis, UN chief says
UN climate chief Simon Stiell called Europe’s early May heatwave, which broke temperature records in France, the UK, and Spain, a 'brutal reminder' of climate crisis impacts driven by fossil fuel use. Authorities reported deaths linked to extreme heat, with France and the UK recording their hottest May days ever, while Spain issued orange alerts as temperatures soared above 35C.
The UN climate chief, Simon Stiell, warned that Europe’s early May heatwave—a record-breaking event in France, the UK, and Spain—serves as a 'brutal reminder' of the escalating climate crisis. Humanity’s reliance on coal, oil, and gas is the primary driver behind increasingly frequent and extreme heatwaves, Stiell stated, emphasizing that protecting lives and economies requires a rapid shift away from fossil fuels. France and the UK shattered May temperature records, with Kew Gardens in London hitting 35.1C on Tuesday, surpassing the previous UK record of 34.8C set the prior day. France’s national heat index reached 24.8C, its highest May average ever, while Météo-France attributed the surge to a 'heat dome' trapping unusually high temperatures. Seventeen French departments, including Paris, were placed under orange alerts, urging vigilance as temperatures neared 39C. Spain also faced extreme heat, with orange alerts issued for the Basque Country and forecasts predicting up to 40C in some regions. Meanwhile, India reported heatstroke deaths amid 43C-plus conditions, highlighting global vulnerability to rising temperatures. Scientists, including Peter Thorne of Maynooth University, confirmed climate change’s role in intensifying these events, calling the records 'mind-bogglingly crazy.' At least seven deaths in France were linked to the heat, including two sporting event competitors and five drownings as people sought relief in water. In Britain, four teenagers drowned in England since Sunday, underscoring the dangers of extreme weather. Stiell linked the crisis to the Middle East war’s exposure of fossil fuel dependence, stressing the urgent need for cleaner energy transitions to mitigate future risks.
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