Climate Threat Extreme Weather in Europe

Multi-billion-dollar bill awaits after summer heat

Summer droughts, forest fires, and heat waves are costing European countries several billion, warn several experts Politico spoke to.

One of them is Bob Ward, a climate expert at the London School of Economics, who says it is “completely wrong” to claim that there is a contradiction between economics and climate policy.

“We have long known that the consequences of climate change that is allowed to continue without action will cost us significantly more than the action required,” he says.

In addition to the direct consequences of natural disasters, there are costly climate effects that are not as clear. These include increased costs for air conditioning and employee productivity dropping in extreme heat. Insurance giant Allianz estimates that costs like these will lead to a GDP loss of up to seven percent between 2026 and 2030, or 240 billion euros for a country like France.

42 degrees in Slovakia – Poland closes coal-fired power plants

The heat continues to have a tight grip on central and eastern Europe, writes The Guardian. Heat records have been set in several countries, including Slovakia where yesterday it was 42 degrees.

In Poland, the authorities have decided to close two coal-fired power plants because the drought in the country's longest river, the Vistula, means that the power plants can no longer be cooled. At the same time, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk is calling on the country's employers to provide air conditioning, cold water and a little extra care for their employees in the heat wave.

Pawel Pomian at the Polish environmental organization Eko-unia sees the irony in the situation.

– The power plants are increasingly becoming victims of the climate change they are driving, he tells the British newspaper.

Forest fires in Europe
Mayor faces ten years in prison after Athens fire

A Greek mayor named Giannis Apostolou is facing charges of arson after last week's forest fire outside Athens, AFP reports.

A spark from a power line connected to a wind turbine is believed to have started the fire, according to the Greek newspaper Ekathimerini.

Apostolou's construction company was responsible for the construction. A subcontractor is also facing charges. Both face ten years in prison if convicted.

A large forest area a few kilometers outside Athens burned down. Strong winds contributed to the rapid spread.

Typhoon Dolphin
Typhoon warning in Japan – thousands leave their homes

Hundreds of thousands of people are being forced to evacuate their homes in southwestern Japan to seek shelter from Typhoon Dolphin, reports The Japan Times. Heavy rain, strong winds and high waves are expected in the next 24 hours as the storm moves into Okinawa and Kagoshima prefectures.

At least 260,000 people have been ordered to evacuate after warnings that houses and buildings could collapse in the typhoon. 500 flights have been canceled and companies have decided to remain closed until Dolphin has passed. Nine Toyota factories will be closed, among others.