A scorching heatwave has gripped Europe, with nearly all major Italian cities under red heat alerts as temperatures continue to rise. The extreme heat is a result of a high-pressure system bringing warmer, tropical air to the continent south of a stagnant jet stream over central Europe. As a result, wildfires are spreading across the continent, with Greece and the Swiss Alps also affected. Millions of people in the northern hemisphere are experiencing soaring temperatures, and the situation is particularly dire in southern Europe.
In Italy, 23 cities are on high alert, with temperatures expected to peak on Wednesday. The heat poses a threat to everyone, not just vulnerable groups, and the situation is worsened by a lack of preparedness in many buildings, especially in the southern regions. Two people were found dead in their homes in Palermo, Sicily, with their deaths attributed to the heat. The south of Italy, being economically disadvantaged, struggles to afford air conditioning or fans, making the heatwave particularly difficult for homeless individuals.
The Italian health ministry has activated "heat codes" in emergency rooms across the country to treat people with heat-related symptoms, resulting in a 20% increase in such cases compared to previous years. The extreme heat is causing serious health issues for vulnerable individuals and may have devastating consequences. The heatwave has not spared other countries in Europe, with Spain, Greece, and parts of the Balkans also under red alerts. The capital of Italy, Rome, witnessed a record-high temperature of 41.8C on Tuesday. Temperatures are expected to fall in some areas on Thursday, but the central and eastern Mediterranean could still experience mid to high 40s temperatures, potentially breaking records. Tunisia in North Africa is also facing extreme temperatures, with some areas expecting to reach 50C.
The World Meteorological Organization has warned that the heatwave could persist into August, and such extreme temperatures are becoming the new normal in a world impacted by climate change. Scientists have long predicted that climate change will lead to more frequent, intense, and prolonged heatwaves, and Europe is experiencing the effects at a faster pace than anticipated. In Greece, the Acropolis staff in Athens will protest working conditions during the heatwave by ceasing work for four hours a day from Thursday. The country is also battling multiple wildfires, leading to evacuations and damage. Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has attributed the wildfires to the climate crisis and acknowledged the challenges faced in tackling them.
As Europe faces this unprecedented heatwave and its associated challenges, authorities and communities need to take immediate action to protect vulnerable populations, mitigate the impact of wildfires, and prepare for the changing climate. Climate change has become a defining factor in the intensification of heatwaves, and urgent measures are required to address its consequences on a global scale.
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