Europe’s Most Severe Heatwave On Record Was Made Virtually Impossible Without Climate Change, With Scientists Confirming Soaring Night-Time Temperatures Are Now One Hundred Times More Likely Than Two Decades Ago
Scientists Declare Europe’s Record 2026 Heatwave Would Have Been Virtually Impossible Without Decades of Human-Caused Climate Change.
Reuters reports that the World Weather Attribution (WWA) group confirmed on June 26 that this week’s record-breaking heatwave across Western Europe would have been “virtually impossible” without human-caused climate change, with soaring night-time temperatures now 100 times more likely than they were just two decades ago.
Europe’s Most Severe Heatwave on Record Is Directly Linked to Fossil Fuel Emissions. The WWA declared this the most severe heatwave ever recorded over the region studied. Britain broke its all-time June temperature record on Thursday as the crisis killed dozens, disrupted power grids, and forced the closure of schools and cultural landmarks across the continent. A comparable heatwave in June 1976 would have been around 3.5 degrees Celsius cooler than this one.
The Health Toll Is Just Beginning and Night-Time Temperatures Are Making It Worse.
The WWA warned that full health impact data is still emerging. A 2022 heatwave series across Europe killed more than 60,000 people from heat-related causes. Night-time temperatures in parts of France have stayed above 20°C for over a week, with some nights recording minimums near 30°C, preventing the body from recovering from daytime heat stress.
This is what runaway emissions look like in real time. Europe is not preparing fast enough. Check out our previous coverage of climate and environmental news here.
