Fires flare in Greece and another heat wave hits Europe, 18 dead are discovered.
Greece Wildfires and Europe’s Heatwave: Climate Change’s Ongoing Impact.
The tragic scene in Greece has left the world in shock, as the charred remains of 18 individuals were discovered amidst the ravaging wildfires that swept through the nation earlier this week. In the midst of this devastation, countries across Europe are grappling with yet another unforgiving heatwave, underscoring the relentless impact of climate change on the continent.
The victims found near a village in northern Greece are suspected to be migrants, a heart-wrenching reminder of the vulnerable communities disproportionately affected by such disasters. Tragically, another life was claimed by the flames near Athens just the day before.
As Greece battles more than five dozen wildfires, other regions of Europe are facing their own trials as the summer of extremes continues its grip.
Over twenty countries have issued heat warnings, with temperatures reaching unprecedented levels in certain areas.
The sheer scale of the challenge is best captured by the words of those on the frontlines. “It’s like war conditions,” expressed Nikos Gioktsidis, a nurse at Alexandroupolis Hospital in the northeastern Greek town where the fires raged. This sentiment is mirrored by countless firefighters who are tirelessly combating the blazes.
The numbers paint a harrowing picture. Over 8,500 hectares (21,000 acres) have already succumbed to the flames, according to the European Union’s Copernicus Emergency Management Service. In solidarity, the European Union has dispatched firefighting resources to Greece, including two aircraft from Cyprus and a Romanian team of fifty firefighters.
Greece’s plight this year has been particularly distressing, with July witnessing the country’s worst-recorded fires since at least 2003. Last month, the island of Rhodes witnessed deadly wildfires, leading to the largest evacuation effort in Greece’s history.
However, Greece isn’t alone in its struggle. The Canary Islands’ Tenerife is grappling with its own uncontrollable wildfires, forcing more than 12,000 residents to flee their homes. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that once the flames are contained, the affected areas will be declared “disaster zones.”
As the fires rage in some regions, record-breaking temperatures are scorching others. France is at the epicenter of this heatwave, with the national meteorological agency warning that this week’s heatwave could be the most intense of the entire summer. France has issued “red-level” heatwave alerts for nineteen departments, including those experiencing temperatures surpassing 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit).
Italy is also facing its share of searing heat waves, with northwest Savona setting a new all-time high temperature record. Switzerland is not immune either, with its glaciers suffering as a result of soaring temperatures. There are concerns that the alarming melt rate of Swiss glaciers could worsen, given the increasing height of the “freezing level.”
Regrettably, the ongoing heatwave across Europe is predicted to persist until midweek, followed by a gradual cooling period. Scientists are unwavering in their assessment that the extreme weather events plaguing Europe and the Northern Hemisphere are the ominous outcome of human-induced climate change. July marked the hottest month on record globally, with experts asserting that the Mediterranean’s scorching heatwave and the blazing conditions in parts of the US were nearly impossible without the ongoing climate crisis.
As the flames and heatwave rages on, the urgent need for collective action against climate change becomes increasingly evident. The fate of nations and the well-being of countless lives are at stake, emphasizing the paramount importance of confronting this crisis head-on.
By: M Z Hossain, Editor Sky Buzz Feed
