Europe identified as fastest-warming continent in new climate change report

European Continent Experiences Severe Climate Change Impacts

A joint report released by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) has provided an overview of climate change impacts in Europe. The report highlights above-average annual temperatures across nearly the entire continent in 2025, with record-high marine temperatures also observed.

The ECMWF stated that Europe is experiencing severe climate change impacts, including drought conditions and wildfires. In May 2025, drought conditions were reported across the region. Wildfires burned more than 1 million hectares of land, equivalent to roughly the size of Cyprus. Additionally, about 70 percent of European rivers recorded below-average annual flows.

Strong marine heatwaves were observed in various parts of Europe, including waters near the United Kingdom, Ireland, and Iceland, as well as several locations around the Mediterranean. A notable heatwave was reported in sub-Arctic Norway, Sweden, and Finland, where temperatures reached 30 degrees Celsius (86 degrees Fahrenheit) for a 21-day period.

The report also noted that snow cover across Europe decreased by nearly 30 percent to 1.32 million square kilometres in March 2025. This represents a loss of territory spanning France, Italy, Germany, Switzerland, and Austria combined. Glacier loss was recorded across Europe, with the second-largest loss on record observed in Iceland.

The ECMWF emphasized that the report highlights the urgent need for action to address climate change. The organization stated that rising temperatures, widespread wildfires, and drought are clear evidence of the reality of climate change.

Source: Al Jazeera