World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has released a report — confirming 2023 as either the joint warmest or second warmest year on record in Europe.
The findings paint a vivid picture of a continent grappling with unprecedented heatwaves, wildfires, droughts, and flooding, extending the summer season from June to September.
According to the report, Europe witnessed a surge in the number of days with “extreme heat stress” alongside a concerning trend of increased “strong heat stress” days. The toll on human life is evident, with heat-related mortality soaring by approximately 30 percent over the past two decades. An estimated 94 percent of European regions monitored reported a rise in heat-related deaths.
While precise figures for 2023 are yet to be finalized, historical data reveals the grim reality of heatwave fatalities, with staggering numbers recorded in 2003, 2010, and 2022. Between 55,000 to 72,000 lives were lost during these scorching episodes.
The significance of these findings reverberates globally, reflecting broader climate change shocks, WMO said. Europe, in particular, emerges as the fastest-warming continent, amplifying the urgency for decisive action.
Celeste Saulo, Secretary-General of WMO, underscores the gravity of the situation, labeling the climate crisis as the paramount challenge of our time. Celeste Saulo emphasizes the imperative of leveraging scientific insights to chart a course toward societal well-being.
However, the report also sheds light on a concerning trend: a prevailing low-risk perception among the public and some health providers regarding heat-related dangers. To address this, early warning systems like the WMO’s Regional Climate Centre’s Climate Watch aim to heighten awareness and foster preparedness for impending extreme weather events.
In 2023, Europe witnessed above-average land temperatures for 11 months, with September registering as the warmest on record. Moreover, rainfall surged by seven percent, inundating European rivers to record levels, triggering widespread flooding. Nearly a third of the European river network breached “high” flood thresholds, with one in seven surpassing “severe” flood levels.
Marine environments echoed the land’s distress, with record sea surface temperatures. An alarming “marine heatwave” in June, particularly in the Atlantic Ocean west of Ireland and around the United Kingdom, registered as “extreme” and, in some regions, “beyond extreme,” with temperatures soaring up to 5 degrees Celsius above average.
On a positive note, the report highlights a record surge in renewable electricity generation across Europe, driven by increased wind and hydroelectric power production. Nonetheless, challenges persist, such as diminished snow days across central Europe and the Alps, exacerbating glacier ice loss.
In the Arctic, temperatures maintained an upward trajectory, marking the sixth warmest year on record. The shrinking extent of Arctic Sea and heightened wildfire activity underscore the urgent need for concerted global action to mitigate the impacts of climate change.
Baburajan Kizhakedath