Turn Up the AC

The Heatwave Sets In

Hello!

So, almost every single time I’ve written about Europe on this newsletter, it has been about the Ukraine War. However, while this is an extremely important subject that deserves plenty of media attention, I’ve decided to change it up a bit.

When you think of Europe, what do you imagine? Personally, the continent conjures images of the snowy Alps, frostbitten cozy villages, and lots of pro skiing. (I’m looking at you, Norway.) I’m sure many of you think the same. However, this is no longer an accurate depiction of Europe.

Why?

Because, as of these past few days, temperatures are skyrocketing across the continent. It’s an unprecedented heatwave, with temperatures reaching over 100 degrees. Today the UK recorded the highest temperature in the country’s history (104.5). France is combating fires, as are London and Spain.

Yikes.

However, I’m well aware that many of you readers out there are from California, and 102 is like a snow day, but here’s the thing: almost no European houses - or buildings - have air conditioning. I can tell you from experience, the math isn’t hard: heatwave + no AC = bad combination. In southern and western Europe, 1,100 people have already died from the heat. And that death tally is only going to rise, if history is any clue. In 2003, Europe faced another heatwave. Over 70,000 people died, and the highest temperatures were only slightly greater.

And, as if this hot mess (bad pun, I apologize) in Europe weren’t enough, the heatwave is also present elsewhere; centered in areas in the mid south, heat warnings have been issued to over 100 million Americans.

What is the cause of such a massive heatwave? The answer, many argue, is climate change. According to UK scientists, “extreme weather events, including heat waves, are increasing in frequency, duration and intensity as a result of climate change.” This is no surprise to anyone; climate change has been linked, thanks to boatloads of evidence and support from the scientific community, to all sorts of environmental problems, be they rising sea temperatures, rising water levels, increased weather variability. The list goes on.

Let’s do something about it, or our future is gonna be a whole lot hotter.

- For a map of the heatwave in Europe, click here.