Escalating climate crisis in Europe calls for closer int'l cooperation

Storm-triggered floods hit central Bosnia and Herzegovina on Friday, killing 19 people and leaving many others missing along the Neretva River, one of the country's major waterways.

At the same time, several Central European countries have been recovering from their worst flooding in over two decades.

Extreme heat waves and flash floods are becoming increasingly common on the continent, which used to enjoy mild weather conditions.

"There's evidence that they're increasing in severity," Professor Manoj Joshi, an expert in climate dynamics at the School of Environmental Sciences at the University of East Anglia in Britain, has told Xinhua.

Experts have called for closer international efforts to build resilient infrastructure and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

EXTREME WEATHER ACROSS EUROPE

In recent months, countries such as Poland, Austria, the Czech Republic, and Romania have also experienced catastrophic floods, resulting in dozens of casualties, economic damage, and widespread disruptions.

Poland, one of the hardest-hit countries, has suffered damage worth approximately 9 billion U.S. dollars, equivalent to about one percent of its GDP.

In Lower Austria, villages were evacuated and a dam failed as floods inundated areas. The consequent damage to sewer systems left 1,500 people without proper sewage services.

In the Czech Republic, floods began on Sept. 13, prompting thousands to evacuate. Romania reported seven deaths as floodwaters submerged entire villages, turning streets into rivers, and heavily damaging local infrastructure.

In Italy, cities such as Rome, Naples, and Florence experienced record-high temperatures. This marks the third consecutive year of such extreme heat, with the first heatwave of 2024 arriving even before the routine start of summer. In Sicily, extreme water shortages coming along with heatwaves prompted tourist cities to advise visitors to leave, signaling the severity of the drought crisis.

According to Katja Klancar, a meteorologist at the States' Agency for the Environment in Slovenia, Europe is warming at the fastest rate of all continents and thus facing more intense and frequent heatwaves, droughts and downpours.

"While heat waves and extreme temperatures have natural causes, climate change amplifies their frequency, intensity, and duration. The current global temperature increase of 1.2 Celcius degrees is altering regional temperature patterns, as seen in Romania," Bogdan Antonescu, an atmospheric physics expert, from Romania's National Research and Development Institute for Earth Physics, told Xinhua.

Dr. Aleksandra Kardas from the University of Warsaw emphasizes that global warming is accelerating the water cycle, causing more intense rainfall in already wet areas and exacerbating droughts in some regions. "Warmer temperatures increase evaporation and the probability of heavy downpours, but they don't alleviate drought problems; they make them worse."

Fifty years ago, the zero-degree level sat at around 600 meters above sea level. Today, with warmer winters, the level has risen to around 850 meters. The Swiss Climate Change Scenarios CH2018 predict that the zero-degree level will climb a further 400-650 meters by 2060 without climate change mitigation, which will take the level to a shocking altitude of around 1,300-1,500 meters.

GROWING IMPACT OF CLIMATE CHANGE

The escalating extreme weather in Europe, from storms and hail to floods and heatwaves, is a warning sign of the growing impact of climate change.

"Improving forecasts is vital, but translating them into effective actions remains the most important. Reducing emissions and enhancing preparedness are essential to mitigating future flood impacts," Jeff Da Costa, a climate scientist at the University of Reading in England, told Xinhua.

Prof. Artur Magnuszewski, a hydrologist from the University of Warsaw, pointed out the relationship between human lifestyle and an increasingly harsh nature. "The 'urban heat island' effect, caused by rapid city development and sealed surfaces, has worsened the situation. Cities absorb heat and intensify convective currents, leading to more severe thunderstorms and downpours that overwhelm outdated sewer systems," he said.

According to the recently released 8th edition of the EU Copernicus Ocean State Report, due to the influence of greenhouse gas emissions caused by human activities, the global ocean is warming at an accelerating rate, with its warming rate nearly doubling since 2005.

The report emphasizes that ocean changes not only affect marine ecosystems but also have significant impacts on the Earth's climate system.

Research from Newcastle University indicates that by the end of the century, Europe could experience up to 14 times more frequent slow-moving storms, bringing heavy rainfall and causing floods.

"Such extreme events are becoming more common," said Prof. Szymon Malinowski from the University of Warsaw. "Addressing climate change requires not only large-scale efforts but also rethinking urban planning and developing sustainable city structures to better handle the challenges of a warming world."

SPEEDY ACTIONS IN URGENT NEED

Many climate experts cited the recent severe flooding in Central and Eastern Europe as a testament to the urgent need to adapt to a rapidly changing climate.

Prof. Joshi called for speedy actions and government commitment to reach the net-zero emissions targets they have set. "Lots of countries have net-zero trajectories. Whether we are doing enough or not, that's now a political question or even a moral question," he said.

He highlighted the importance of translating public awareness into policy action, as society increasingly recognizes the urgent need to address climate change.

In light of the recent extreme weather events, European governments have taken active action. For example, Poland launched "Operation Phoenix," mobilizing over 26,000 soldiers to assist flood relief efforts. The European Commission has also announced a 10-billion-euro fund to support EU member states affected by floods.

Globally, more also needs to be done. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has stressed the need for international policies that focus not only on mitigating climate change through emissions reductions but also on adaptation measures to strengthen resilience against extreme weather.

Climate scientist Jeff Da Costa voiced a similar view. He said nations should collaborate on cross-border flood management strategies and work towards global emission reduction commitments. "Enhancing early warning systems and communication channels during emergencies is essential for protecting lives and property. International cooperation is also critical, as climate change knows no borders," he said.

"Building resilient infrastructure, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and developing comprehensive disaster risk management strategies are key. As extreme weather events become more frequent, proactive measures are necessary to address the challenges they pose," Da Costa said.