The Heatwave Striking Europe

In the past few years, climate change has steadily gotten worse. From endless rain, to the sweltering heat in the summer, different countries of the world have experienced conditions that aren’t normal. Europe is currently enduring a heatwave that is causing health crises, infrastructure meltdowns, and unsafe conditions.

In just one year, the entirety of Europe has experienced increased temperatures of up 45.1℃ (113.2℉). The heatwave is sweeping through much of central and eastern Europe, affecting France, Spain, and Italy. Reports from the French Ministry of the Interior say that they will not be having the Paris Annual Pride March due to public concerns of heat related illnesses. “The corridors are full”, Phillipp Juvin, Head of Emergency Medicine says (Inbox.EU).

He is referring to the hospitals that are filling up with sick patients, nearly one third of them suffering from the heatwave. More than half of the sick are elderly people who live in the upper floors of apartments and are unable to cool themselves during the warm nights. Young children are also suffering from dehydration and exhaustion because the schools they attend lack air-conditioning and cooling systems (Age Platform Europe).

Many people are asking what has caused this change in Europe’s temperature. According to The Conversation, scientists are saying that this heatwave is occurring because of a high pressure system above Europe, similar to a lid that traps heat. In addition to that, the burning of fossil fuels is trapping all the excess heat within the atmosphere and heating up the air around the people.

Although the heatwave is continuing and shows no sign of relenting, the European governments are working towards a solution. For example, they are installing air conditioning units, allowing more hydration breaks for workers, and changing shifts to avoid the grueling heat. The European governments hope that these changes will make a difference to the effect of the heatwaves.