Image: (Volker Weihbold)
Global warming will worsen extreme weather events such as heatwaves, droughts, wildfires and floods even in optimistic scenarios and affect living conditions across the continent, the EEA warns in its first report presented on Monday. Weather extremes are already “the new normal,” explained EUA boss Leena Ylä-Mononen. “They must also be a warning shot.”
- Editorial on the topic: They are not snow bells, but alarm bells
The report lists 36 key climate risks for Europe. 21 therefore require immediate additional measures and eight even require urgent action. These primarily include risks for Europe’s ecosystems, especially in the seas and on the coasts.
Existential threats in 5 areas
Overall, the experts name five major areas in which climate developments pose existential threats:
- Ecosystems
- Nutrition
- Health
- Infrastructure
- Economy and Finance
The risks that heat and drought pose to crop cultivation not only affect the south, but also the countries of Central Europe. “In particular, prolonged and widespread droughts pose a significant threat to yields, food security and drinking water supplies,” the EEA said.
- You might also be interested in: Climate researcher: “Ski tourism will then be the least of our worries”
Heat as a health risk
Heat is the greatest and most urgent climate risk to human health, the researchers write. People who work outdoors, older people and people who live in poorly insulated apartments or in urban areas with a strong heat island effect are particularly at risk. In southern Europe, heat and droughts also pose a significant risk to energy production and transmission.
The agency writes that the European economic and financial system is also affected. For example, climate extremes could lead to increases in insurance premiums, jeopardize assets and mortgages, and result in higher spending and borrowing costs for the government.
Seas in danger
According to the report, many marine ecosystems are in massive danger due to warming water, lack of oxygen and acidification – in addition to other human-caused environmental changes such as pollution and fishing. “This may lead to significant biodiversity loss, including mass mortality events,” warns the EEA.
- Also read: More than 21 degrees: sea temperature at a new record
The EEA is now calling on EU countries to recognize climate risks and take even more ambitious measures to adapt to these risks. “We have to do more and make stronger policies,” warned Ylä-Mononen.
Southern Europe is most at risk
According to the report, southern Europe is most at risk, where there is a risk of fires, water shortages and heat – and their effects on agriculture, work and health. Flat coastal regions are also threatened, for example by floods, erosion and the intrusion of salt water. But according to the EEA, Northern Europe also needs to prepare for climate risks, as recently illustrated by floods in Germany and forest fires in Sweden.
According to the EEA, Europe is the fastest warming continent. Since the 1980s, warming on the European mainland has been about twice as fast as the global average.
My themes
For your saved topics were
new articles found.
info By clicking on the icon you can add the keyword to your topics.
info
By clicking on the icon you open your “my topics” page. They have of 15 keywords saved and would have to remove keywords.
info By clicking on the icon you can remove the keyword from your topics.
Add the topic to your topics.
Source: Nachrichten
