Climate threatGlobal challenges

The heat wave in the USA. Illustration image. John Locher / AP  

Climate threatGlobal challenges  

Leader: The real threat to the climate is mistrust  

Today's front pages deal with climate policy and concerns about the ongoing heat wave that has paralyzed several parts of the globe. 

Torun Nilsson at Dagens Industri writes that the fear of the global climate is once again spreading this summer, but that the real threat is mistrust. 

Nilsson believes that the research on the rapid and consequential climate changes is clear. "Yet a surprising number of people still murmur that it's probably not that dangerous," she writes, and claims that it is the polarization between prohibitionists and deniers that creates confusion and prevents politicians from acting.  

The lead writer Max Hjelm at Dagens Nyheter reflects on the responsibility of the individual and states that no matter how much you try to pull your weight, we will not save the climate at this level. He believes that the actions of the individual do not do much against a systemic threat. "Therefore, policies are needed that create a shift towards both companies and individuals". 

A water meter stands in a dry wetland in the Donana National Park in Spain in October 2022. Bernat Armangue/AP  

The election in Spain  

Water - a political issue as Spain goes to the polls  

Water use in Spain could become an important election issue when the country goes to the polls on Sunday, writes AFP. Spain has been hit by severe drought and is currently undergoing an extreme heat wave. An example is the Donana National Park in southern Spain, which is one of Europe's largest wetlands that is threatened with water shortage as a result of intensive agriculture where many in the area grow strawberries.  

The issue of water access to the park has flared up to become a political issue where one side wants to preserve the park and the other side is on the side of the farmers, writes Euronews.  

This is the first time climate change has been brought up on the political agenda in the country, according to Cristina Monge at the University of Zaragoza, writes AFP.  

Tourists drinking water in Rome. Gregorio Borgia / AP 

Climate threat Europe's heat waves  

WHO: "Heat waves put our health and lives at risk" 

The Director General of the World Health Organization (WHO) Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus writes on Twitter that the world's leaders must take the extreme heat seriously, writes TT. 

 “Heat waves put our health and our lives at risk. I call on world leaders to act now," writes Ghebreyesus.  

Health authorities in several countries also urge people to be careful in the heat by drinking plenty of fluids and to protect themselves from direct sunlight. In Italy, authorities have asked people to stay indoors during the hottest hours of the day. 

Tourists in Rome. Gregorio Borgia / AP  

Climate threat Europe's heat waves 

Could be 48 degrees - the highest temperature in Europe  

Today, temperatures on the Italian islands of Sicily and Sardinia can reach 48 degrees, according to the European Space Agency (ESA). In that case, it will be the highest temperatures measured so far in Europe, according to the authority, writes The Guardian.  

In Italy, the highest heat warning has been issued for 20 cities where there is talk of a risk of "emergency health conditions" even for people who do not belong to a risk group. During the morning, the temperature in southern Sardinia was above 40 degrees. Even in the capital Rome, the temperature is expected to reach the 40-degree mark during the day, writes TT.  

The highest temperature so far measured in Europe was 48.8 degrees in Floridia in Sicily during August 2021. 

A man cools off in a fountain in Rome, Italy. Gregorio Borgia / AP 

After the heat - Italy introduces emergency protocols in the emergency room  

Italy introduces a new emergency protocol in the country's emergency departments, writes CNN. On Tuesday, Italy's health minister announced that the country's emergency departments are getting new special procedures to deal with heat-related emergencies. This is to be able to take better care of people who have health problems as a result of the heat. 

During Tuesday, a total of 20 Italian cities are expected to be redlisted where people may have health risks due to the extreme heat.