Climate Threat

Extreme Weather in Europe
Professor on Extreme Heat: “This is Just the Beginning”

The many heat waves in Europe this summer are worrying experts. Heat waves in themselves are not unnatural, says Erik Kjellström, a professor of climatology at SMHI, to Aftonbladet. But global warming is contributing to even higher temperatures and an extension of the season for extreme heat.

– This is what we are seeing right now. But it is not what we should expect. This is just the beginning, he says.

On Wednesday, a daily high of 26.6 degrees is expected on average in Western Europe, according to Reuters. This is 3 degrees higher than the historical average from 1961–1990 for today's date. 

Several major fires in Europe – French fire under control

Fires have raged in several parts of Europe during the week since a new heat wave took hold over the region.

In the Spanish province of Guadalajara, 30,000 hectares of land have burned in the past week, making the forest fires one of the most extensive ever. This is reported by El Pais, citing the EU's weather service Copernicus.

In France, the fire in southeastern Var is considered to be under control, after around 900 firefighters were mobilized. The fire broke out in a field in Pontevès on Tuesday and quickly spread across wooded mountain slopes. A total of 2,550 hectares of land have been burned, according to Le Monde.

In Scotland, Arthur's Seat, a hill outside Edinburgh, is undergoing post-extinguishing work after the fire that broke out on Sunday evening. This is reported by BBC News.

- The situation from the scene is that we will probably remain there for a couple of days to fight the remaining embers, says the head of the operation, Jon Henderson.

Climate Threat  El Niño
El Niño Drives Hungry Pelicans to Peruvian Ports

Climate experts have warned that this year's El Niño could be the worst in 50 years. Now the weather phenomenon is starting to affect wildlife, writes Reuters.

In Peru, hundreds of hungry pelicans are flocking to ports and fish markets in search of food. The reason is that fish stocks are declining as El Niño warms the sea.

Now many of the birds are at risk of starving to death.

- That's what's happening: the birds are leaving their breeding grounds and dying from lack of food, says marine biologist Carlos Zavalaga.

The declining fish stocks are also worrying the country's fishermen and, in the long run, Peru's fishing industry. During the first five months of the year, the industrial fishing industry in the country has declined sharply.