High temperatures have hit Europe with unprecedented intensity in recent months., setting off all the alarms among the scientific community and society. The continent, especially regions like Spain, has recorded record figures that, according to international experts, are a direct result of the unstoppable advance of climate change..
This phenomenon has not been limited to sporadic heat waves.; studies warn of a growing trend for the coming years, with increasingly notable consequences for health, the economy and ecosystemsForecasts from leading organizations such as the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and independent scientific teams agree that Europe will be an epicenter of extreme events.
Climate change is causing extreme heat in Europe.
Recent reports by organizations such as the WMO and international research groups have revealed that The temperature increase experienced in Europe is unprecedented in modern records. The year 2024 marked a before and after: Average annual temperatures broke the 1,5°C barrier above pre-industrial levels, making it the warmest year on record in Europe and globally.
These data have been supported by satellites which, in May 2025, captured a record heat wave in northwestern Europe. Surface waters, for example, reached peaks of up to four degrees above normal., and thermal anomalies have already become common in different parts of Europe.
In fact, between May 2024 and May 2025 alone, 4.000 billion people worldwide endured at least an additional month of extreme heatIn Europe, the situation was particularly striking, with up to 48 days considered extremely high, while before climate change, such episodes would have been less than half that number.
The study by World Weather Attribution and Climate Central emphasizes that Global warming has doubled the number of days of extreme heat in 195 countries and territories, a trend that does not appear to be reversing in the short term.
Impacts on health and daily life
The accumulation of sweltering days has had a significant impact on public health. Heat waves are currently one of the deadliest natural disasters in Europe., even surpassing floods or storms. It is estimated that in 2024, up to 47.000 people died on the continent due to prolonged and extreme heat events.
The effects of heat do not affect the entire population equally.Children, the elderly, the chronically ill, and those lacking access to cooling systems are the most at risk. Furthermore, Tropical nights—with temperatures that never drop below 20°C—make it difficult to rest and increase health risks..
Not only health is affected; The heat also affects productivity, agriculture and infrastructure.Experts highlight a significant drop in agricultural production and an increase in food insecurity, while healthcare and transportation systems have had to adapt to the new demands brought on by the heat.
In the Laboral scene, Workers exposed to the outdoors and pregnant women present added risksAn increase in unsafe days for pregnant women has been observed in almost 90% of European countries, a fact that puts child prevention and health systems at risk.
An immediate future with more extreme heat
Both the WMO and other international organizations point out that A significant reduction in these episodes is not expected in the coming years. The period between 2025 and 2029 could be between 1,2 and 1,9 °C above industrial reference levels., and There is an 86% chance that, in that five-year period, at least one year will exceed the symbolic limit of 1,5 °C..
The Arctic, closely linked to the European climate, is warming more than three times above the global average, which accelerates the melting of ice and the rise of sea levels. This phenomenon It amplifies the effects not only in the polar regions but also in European coastal areas and in the continent's own climate..
One visible effect of global warming in Europe is the increase in extreme weather events, such as torrential rains in the north or hot, dry summers in the south. On the other hand, the risk of forest fires increases with the repetition of heat waves., as has been seen in Greece, France, Italy and Spain in recent summers.
Climate change also alters the timing and intensity of phenomena such as phytoplankton blooms, a key component of the marine food chain, and threatens local and global biodiversity.
What is being done and how far do the solutions go?
Adaptation and mitigation are the two major strategies proposed by the international communityHowever, the reports emphasize that, while adaptation is essential, only a drastic reduction in greenhouse gas emissions can halt the trend of record-breaking heat and prevent even worse consequences.
Organizations such as the UN, the WMO, and the Climate Action Network believe that global emissions reductions must reach at least 43% by 2030 and 60% by 2035 if global warming is to be kept below dangerous limits. emission reduction in Europe will be key to reducing the effects of the record heat on the continent. COP30 will be crucial to assessing the countries' true commitment.
Europe and the world face a future in which extreme heat will become increasingly common, with severe impacts on health, the economy, and biodiversity. Science urges us to act more ambitiously and in a coordinated manner to prevent what is exceptional today from becoming the new climate normal on our continent.
