Europe must do more to avoid “catastrophic” consequences, according to the European Environment Agency

For the EEA, the priority is for European governments and populations to unanimously recognize the risks and agree to do more, faster.

The science is clear: “The extreme heat, drought, wildfires and floods that we have experienced in recent years in Europe will worsen, including in optimistic scenarios of global warming, and will affect living conditions across the continent. ” The European Environment Agency (EEA) published its first report on the assessment of climate risks in Europe on Monday March 11. And the Old Continent could be faced with situations “catastrophic” if it does not take stock of the climate risks it faces, many of which are already at a critical level, warns the agency. “These events represent the new normal”insisted AEE director Leena Ylä-Mononen. Europe is already the continent that has warmed the fastest over the past forty years, the agency noted.

The study lists 36 major climate risks for Europe. Twenty-one of them require more immediate action and eight require urgent response. First and foremost among them are the risks linked to ecosystems, mainly marine and coastal. For example, the combined effects of marine heat waves, ocean acidification and oxygen depletion and other anthropogenic factors (pollution, fishing, etc.) threaten the functioning of marine ecosystems, according to the report. “This may result in substantial loss of biodiversity, including mass mortality events”, he adds. Another major risk is heat waves.

Heat waves damage and threaten our health. They can wreak havoc on ecosystems. In Europe, they are often associated with droughts and this is a dangerous combination for infrastructure and water supplies.

Hans-Martin Füssel, climate risk expert at the agency

to AFP

The most exposed areas are in southern Europe, threatened by fires, water shortage and its effects on agricultural production, impact of heat on outdoor work and health, according to the EEA. “Low-lying coastal regions are particularly exposed to flooding, storms and flood risks”, also explained Hans-Martin Füssel. However, northern Europe is not spared, the institution underlined, as evidenced by the recent floods in Germany or the forest fires in Sweden.

“We need to have stronger policies”

For the EEA, the priority is for European governments and populations to unanimously recognize the risks and agree to do more, faster. “We must do more, have stronger policies”, insisted Leena Ylä-Mononen. The agency, however, recognized the “considerable progress” carried out “in understanding climate risks (…) and in preparing for these risks”.

If “most risks have already received some attention from decision-makers”, “implementation of effective actions may have been hampered by elements such as competing priorities, unclear responsibility for risks or insufficient investment funds”lamented Hans-Martin Füssel.