Europe experienced scorching temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius this week, surpassing even the Sahara Desert in some regions. As a result, governments are urging citizens to remain indoors, schools have shut down, and wildfires have ravaged the land. Additionally, nuclear reactors have decreased their output due to rivers being too warm to effectively cool them. The World Health Organization reports that over 1,300 deaths in Europe can be attributed to the extreme heat since June 21st.
Traditionally, Europe designed its infrastructure, buildings, public areas, and tourism sector under the assumption that summers would be warm but manageable. However, this assumption is now being challenged as the climate shifts. The Guardian’s Europe environment correspondent, Ajit Niranjan, discusses the implications of an entire continent realizing it was structured for a climate that no longer aligns with reality.