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Extreme heat in Europe ‘a brutal reminder’ of climate crisis, UN chief says
Simon Stiell said burning fossil fuels was driving intense heatwaves as UK and France broke temperature records on consecutive days
TL;DR
- France and the UK recorded new, record-breaking high temperatures for May on consecutive days.
- UN climate chief Simon Stiell attributed the extreme heatwave to the burning of fossil fuels, calling it a 'brutal reminder' of the climate crisis.
- Scientists confirm that human-induced climate change is making heatwaves more frequent, extreme, and occurring earlier/later in the year.
- France experienced its hottest May day on record, with temperatures up to 13C higher than usual due to a 'heat dome'.
- Seventeen French departments, including Paris, were placed on an orange high temperature alert.
- Spain is also facing extreme heat, with temperatures potentially reaching 40C and orange weather alerts issued.
- Authorities reported multiple deaths linked to the high temperatures, including drownings and heatstroke.
- Stiell stressed the need to 'kick the fossil fuel addiction much faster' and pivot to cleaner energy sources.