Europe’s heat crisis sparks calls for emergency EU summit
Temperatures in Europe exceed 40 degrees (Photo: Getty Images)
The European Green Party has called for an emergency summit of EU heads of state and government due to the wave of abnormally high temperatures that has hit a large part of the continent, according to Politico.
According to party representatives, EU leaders must urgently discuss strengthening protections for populations against extreme temperatures and reinforcing the bloc's climate policy.
This week, Western European countries have faced record heat. In several states, air temperatures have approached or even exceeded the 40-degree mark.
Of particular concern are the high nighttime temperatures, which increase health risks for the population. According to weather forecasts, the heatwave will shift toward Eastern Europe in the coming days, particularly toward Poland.
Heat as a consequence of climate change
The Greens emphasized that extreme weather events are becoming increasingly frequent and intense due to climate change. At the same time, the party criticized the EU's recent steps to relax certain elements of the European Green Deal, which were intended to support economic competitiveness.
Against the backdrop of the heatwave, serious consequences are already being recorded in various European countries. In France, thousands of schools were closed due to high temperatures, while Italy and Spain have reported heat-related fatalities. Additionally, the weather conditions are disrupting transport and energy infrastructure.
The latest European Council summit took place in Brussels on June 18-19. The issues of extreme heat and climate adaptation were not among the main items on the meeting's agenda.
Starting Friday, June 26, it will get hotter in Ukraine, and over the weekend, the heatwave from Western Europe will cover almost the entire country, with temperatures reaching +37 degrees and above.
European countries are introducing emergency measures, and meteorologists are comparing the current situation to one of the most tragic weather events in modern history.
