In 2024, Europe experienced its hottest year on record, highlighting the urgent need for climate adaptation as the continent faced unprecedented weather extremes. The Copernicus climate report revealed a significant rise in temperatures, with an increase of 2.4°C since the Industrial Revolution. This warming has led to severe heatwaves and widespread flooding, affecting nearly half a million people and causing over 335 fatalities. The province of Valencia in Spain was particularly hard hit by floods, accounting for 70% of flood-related deaths in Europe.
The European State of the Climate report emphasized that rising temperatures have intensified storms and floods, making them more frequent and destructive. The report underscores the importance of meeting climate targets such as achieving net zero emissions by 2050 to mitigate these effects. Severe weather patterns have highlighted a stark east-west climate divide across the continent, with western Europe experiencing excessive rainfall and eastern Europe enduring drought conditions.
The impacts of climate change are not confined to land; ocean heatwaves have tripled in length, devastating marine ecosystems and exacerbating storms. These heatwaves are largely attributed to human-induced global warming, stressing the need for immediate climate action. As Europe continues to warm rapidly, experts stress the necessity of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and implementing comprehensive adaptation strategies to safeguard both human and environmental health. The urgency of the situation demands that European cities and governments accelerate their efforts to adapt and build resilience against the growing threats of climate change.
