A severe summer has left rivers dried up and caused numerous fatalities across the European Union, affecting countries from Portugal to Hungary. This situation has highlighted the bloc’s urgent need to develop new strategies to combat worsening climate challenges, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said Wednesday.
“Key rivers like the Danube, the Rhine or La Garonne are disappearing before our eyes. More than 35,000 additional deaths during the heat waves. Care homes and hospitals dangerously overheated.”
In light of this instability, she has proposed a new European Heatwave Plan and the creation of a future European firefighting fleet of aircraft. While the EU currently manages a limited fleet, it also coordinates a network comprising aircraft, water trucks, and volunteers that respond to fires across the 27-nation bloc.
“All of this is a mere preview. These were the hottest summer months ever, but probably the coolest of the years to come,” von der Leyen said. “Science is clear: Europe is warming at double the global rate.”
During her annual State of the European Union address in Strasbourg, President von der Leyen remarked, “This summer was the summer of truth. Almost no part of our continent was spared.”
The extreme heat, which hit Europe intensely and earlier than usual this year, has led to a notable increase in mortality rates. While von der Leyen cited 35,000 excess deaths, this figure is significantly higher than estimates from monitoring groups reported in July.
The wildfires in France and Spain necessitated the evacuation of hundreds of thousands of individuals, led to the shutdown of nuclear reactors in Hungary and France, ignited century-old munitions along Belgium’s border with Germany, and uncovered previously submerged vessels, including a tugboat in Serbia.
A study by the World Weather Attribution group found that the extreme heat and humidity this summer would not have occurred without climate change.
Acknowledging the efforts of those who valiantly fought the fires this summer, President von der Leyen encouraged emergency responders and senior firefighters to “think bigger and learn faster” to develop new capabilities for the EU to address climate instability effectively. Her tribute to a Danish helicopter pilot named Rune Kyndal, who tragically lost his life in August while combating fires in Greece, prompted an overwhelming show of support and applause from the assembly.
“Rune gave his life to save others and today, all of Europe owes him,” von der Leyen said.
This article used information from The Associated Press.
