The Director of the Copernicus Climate Change Service has issued a stark warning about the escalating threat of extreme heat across Europe. Carlo Buontempo stated that the current heatwave underscores the urgent need for strategies to cope with weather extremes, which "have the potential to kill us."
Buontempo, speaking from the Bonn-based research center, linked the soaring temperatures to global warming, which is altering the frequency and intensity of heatwaves. He called for improved urban design and the development of personal habits to keep populations safe.
His warning comes as extreme heat warnings are issued for major European nations. Buontempo highlighted that heat-related mortality across Europe has increased by 30% over the last two decades.
He noted a positive trend: the number of cities with climate adaptation plans has grown significantly. These plans often include creating larger green spaces, improving building insulation, and adjusting business hours.
"For many cities we are not there yet, but for many others at least we have now a plan and it is not abstract. It is affecting us today in our backyard," Buontempo said.
Regarding a unified EU policy, Buontempo suggested there is no single solution, but a major opportunity for cities to share successful strategies. "What people do in Athens could be applied to Copenhagen," he noted.
On the future trajectory of temperatures, he offered a sobering assessment: they will continue to rise even if emissions stopped immediately. However, he emphasized that knowledge, particularly from open climate data, is a critical tool for managing the risks.