Europe is ‘warming faster than any other continent’

Subject: Geography

Sec: Climatology

Context:

Europe is currently the fastest-warming continent, warming at about twice the global average, according to a report by the World Meteorological Organisation and the EU’s climate agency, Copernicus.

Details:

This rapid increase in temperature, now 2.3 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, poses significant threats to human health, glacier stability, and economic activities.
Despite these challenges, Europe is advancing in its transition to renewable energy, achieving 43% electricity generation from renewables in the previous year.
The report also highlights the severe impacts of climate extremes witnessed in Europe, including record temperatures, wildfires, heat waves, and significant glacier melt.
These events have not only caused over 150 direct deaths last year but also led to substantial economic losses estimated at over 13.4 billion euros.
Copernicus notes a critical need for targeted strategies to combat these effects and accelerate the shift to renewable resources like wind, solar, and hydroelectric power.

Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S):

C3S is one of six thematic information services provided by the Copernicus Earth Observation Programme of the European Union.
Copernicus is an operational programme building on existing research infrastructures and knowledge available in Europe and elsewhere. C3S relies on climate research carried out within the World Climate Research Programme (WCRP) and responds to user requirements defined by the Global Climate Observing System (GCOS).
C3S provides an important resource to the Global Framework for Climate Services (GFCS).
C3S is implemented by the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) on behalf of the European Commission.
C3S supports society by providing authoritative information about the past, present and future climate in Europe and the rest of the World.
Mission: To support adaptation and mitigation policies of the European Union by providing consistent and authoritative information about climate change.
- They offer free and open access to climate data and tools based on the best available science.

Source: TH