The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has stated that the world must adapt to rising temperatures and severe heatwaves, as parts of Europe experience unusually high temperatures at the start of summer.
The UN agency warned that future expectations should include more frequent and intense heatwaves, attributed to climate change caused by human activity.
Claire Nullis, a spokesperson for the WMO, noted that July is traditionally the hottest month in the Northern Hemisphere. She emphasized that experiencing extreme heat this early in the summer is unusual, although not unprecedented.
During a press conference in Geneva, Nullis referred to extreme temperatures as a “silent killer,” highlighting that official statistics do not fully capture the death toll from heat, unlike other extreme weather events such as hurricanes. She stressed, “Every heat-related death is unnecessary… We have the knowledge and tools to save lives.”
Nullis added that the current heat in Europe is a result of a strong high-pressure system, which traps hot air from North Africa over the region. She pointed out that one of the main contributors to the heatwave is the exceptional sea surface temperatures in the Mediterranean.
“This is equivalent to a land heatwave, as the Mediterranean is currently experiencing severe marine heat,” she explained, which tends to elevate temperatures on land.
According to the WMO, early warnings and coordinated action plans are critical for public safety. Due to human-induced climate change, extreme temperatures are becoming more frequent and severe—a reality that society must learn to coexist with.
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