According to the European Environment Agency’s inaugural risk assessment, Europe is ill-equipped to deal with the increasing climate threats it is currently facing. The report was released on Monday.

Europe is known to experience a higher frequency of severe and harsh weather events, such as wildfires, prolonged dry spells, abnormal precipitation patterns, and flooding. It is crucial that urgent actions are taken to safeguard its energy, food supply, water resources, and the well-being of its population.

According to a statement from the executive director of the EEA, Leena Ylä-Mononen, society is not prepared enough for the increasing risks posed by climate change.

The study pinpointed 36 significant climate hazards in the region, including risks to natural habitats, financial stability, public health, and food production systems. In addition, it uncovered that over half of these hazards require immediate intervention. Out of the 36, eight were deemed critical and warrant swift action. These include preserving ecosystems, safeguarding individuals from extreme heat, providing protections for communities and structures against floods and wildfires, and securing funding for disaster relief efforts.

According to the report, Europe has seen the most rapid increase in temperature globally and has been warming at a rate twice as fast as other parts of the world since the 1980s. This rise in heat has been connected to stronger precipitation and flooding, and the report also forecasts a decrease in rainfall and more extreme droughts in the southern regions of Europe.

It is warned that without immediate and definite measures, the identified climate risks could have catastrophic outcomes. To mitigate these risks and enhance preparedness for warming, the EU and its member states are advised to partner with regional and local organizations.

The continent has been given a major alert by the report, declared Manon Dufour, who serves as the Brussels representative for the climate research organization E3G. This could significantly influence climate policies on both the European and national scales.

Dufour expressed that the report may bring attention to European leaders who are primarily concerned with security matters, as climate change can also impact economic and energy stability.

According to Dufour, the national goal should be for finance ministers to prioritize economic and social resilience based on the report. She emphasized that the report predicts potential economic losses of 1 trillion euros ($1.1 trillion) annually by 2100 due to heat waves and floods.

Maarten van Aalst, director-general of the Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute, stated that it is imperative for us to adjust to evolving risks that we can no longer evade. This includes being prepared for more severe and unexpected events, as well as taking action to prevent the escalation of risks by reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

“The head of climate at Climate Action Network Europe, Sven Harmeling, stated that Europe has the potential to further decrease emissions from the combustion of coal, oil, and gas by 2030. Additionally, he believes that Europe could increase investments in adapting to climate change by protecting ecosystems such as wetlands and forests. These natural habitats not only absorb carbon, but also serve as natural barriers against extreme weather events,” said Harmeling.

He stressed the importance of mitigating the effects of climate change “in a manner that benefits all individuals socially and economically.”

Silvia Pastorelli, climate campaigner at Greenpeace EU, concurred with the idea, stating that the EU should prioritize providing resilience programs to the most vulnerable communities. This could include initiatives such as retrofitting homes to improve heating during winter and cooling during summer. “Ensuring fairness in our response to climate change is crucial,” Pastorelli emphasized.

According to the report, the European Union and its individual nations have made significant headway in comprehending their climate-related vulnerabilities and taking proactive measures to address them.

According to Julie Berckmans, a climate risk expert at the EEA, Europe has performed admirably in regards to coastal flooding. She noted that for the past 60 years, the continent has not experienced any disastrous storm floods and has also made some advancements in addressing health risks associated with heat and major river flooding.

However, there is a need for further measures in these areas as the risks are evolving rapidly, according to Berckmans. She pointed out that heat stress on populations has reached critical levels, demonstrating the urgency of the situation. To address this issue, Berckmans suggested that countries and cities improve their spatial planning to better prepare for the increasing health risk posed by heat in the future.

On Tuesday, the European Commission will unveil its proposed action plan in reaction to the report.

The statement from Tim McPhie, spokesperson for the EU Commission, emphasized the EEA’s report, which serves as a strong warning and urgent call to action for the future.

Source: voanews.com