A new report from the International Meteorological Organization WMO and the European climate agency Copernicus Climate Change Service shows that temperatures in Europe have risen twice the global average in the last 30 years.
“In Europe, we clearly see how the world is warming and this reminds us that even well-prepared societies are not safe from extreme weather events,” says WMO Secretary-General Petteri Taalas.
Bites on half a million
According to the report, the temperature in Europe has risen very clearly in Europe and on average by half a degree per decade in the years 1991-2021.
In comparison, the average global temperature is rising by 0.2 degrees per decade, according to reports from the United Nations Climate Committee.
Although European countries have better technology than most other countries, the consequences are significant, for example in terms of systems to warn residents of floods well in advance.
Scientists who compiled the report say extreme weather events in 2021 alone have affected more than half a million people in Europe and caused hundreds of deaths. About 84% of the extreme weather consisted of floods and storms.
Not just bad news
However, there is more to the report than news. Several European countries have succeeded in reducing the emission of greenhouse gases. Especially within the EU, where greenhouse gas emissions have decreased by 31% between 1990 and 2020 and a target of at least a 55% reduction by 2030.
In addition, European countries are leaders in warning systems that reach 75% of the countries’ population. But the challenges are enormous, according to the researchers.
“The good trend in reducing the emission of greenhouse gases in the region must continue and be further improved. Europe can play a key role in achieving a carbon-neutral society by the middle of the century in order to meet the conditions of the Paris Agreement,” says Petteri Taalas.
