Climate Change in Europe

• The number of people dying across Europe due to rising temperatures has increased by almost a third in the past two decades. • 2023 saw a record number of days with extreme heat stress, affecting people across all parts of the continent. • Europe experienced 7% more rainfall than usual in 2023, but not all regions received more rain, leading to water shortages in some areas. • In Northeastern Spain, a lack of rainfall has led to severe water shortages, affecting the tourism industry, with the regional government considering imposing restrictions on tourists. • The Samb hotel in Urdear has implemented a gray water recycling system, which has saved 15 million liters of water and made substantial financial savings from water costs. • The hotel is also piloting a natural system using plants and soil to filter gray water, which could be replicated in other hotels. • Desalination plants are being considered as a solution to provide drinking water and fill swimming pools, but it's costly and energy-intensive. • Climate change is linked to the extremes of weather, including droughts and flooding, which are expected to continue as temperatures rise in Europe. • Europe is warming more than other continents, and authorities are investing in desalination and other measures to adapt to these changes. • Heat-related deaths have risen from around 60,000 in 2022 and are set to double by 2050 if nothing is done, according to the World Health Organization. • The extreme weather has the potential to boost renewable energy production, with renewables responsible for around 40% of Europe's electricity last year. • The storms in the north are leading to more wind energy, while the hot dry conditions in the south are increasing the potential for solar energy.

Test your knowledge on the impacts of climate change in Europe, including rising temperatures, extreme weather events, and their effects on the environment and human health. Learn about the measures being taken to adapt to these changes and the potential for renewable energy production.