The Copernicus Climate Change Service of the European Commission and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) have certified that 2023 was the warmest year recorded in millennia on the planet, with record-breaking temperatures also seen in Europe due to a climate crisis caused by greenhouse gas emissions from the global economy. These records have direct consequences on public health in Europe, as heat-related mortality has increased by about 30% in the last 20 years in the region, as outlined in the report on the state of the climate in Europe in 2023, compiled by these two institutions. This trend continued into 2024, with the first three months of the year also breaking records, and Copernicus expects this trend to continue into the summer, with models indicating that it will likely be another warmer-than-normal summer.
The impacts of this climate crisis on public health are a major focus of the report released on Monday. Events in July 2023 prompted the regional office of the WHO to issue a public health emergency alert due to the extreme weather events in Europe, marking the first time in history such action has been taken. The report highlights that the majority of European regions have experienced an increase in heat-related deaths between 2000 and 2020, with extreme heat being the leading cause of weather-related deaths in Europe since 1970. The report warns that these extreme weather events linked to the climate crisis are expected to increase in intensity and frequency in the coming years and decades, particularly in urban areas where the impact on human health is more pronounced.
2023 saw record temperatures in Europe, with an average global temperature increase of 1.3 degrees Celsius compared to pre-industrial levels, and a 2.3-degree anomaly in Europe. The continent is warming at twice the rate of the global average, with record-breaking heat stress, ocean temperatures, and glacier melting affecting Europeans. The report also highlights unprecedented extreme events, such as the largest forest fire ever recorded in Europe in Greece, burning 960 square kilometers. These events occurred in a context of record-high greenhouse gas concentrations, making 2023 an extremely unusual year compared to previous decades, centuries, and even millennia.
The economic and public health impacts of these extreme weather events are significant, with an estimated 13.4 billion euros in climate-related losses in Europe in 2023, excluding the impacts of heatwaves. The report emphasizes that the climate crisis is the greatest challenge of our generation, with the cost of inaction far outweighing the cost of taking action. Despite these challenges, there were positive records set in 2023, such as the highest renewable electricity production in Europe to date, covering 43% of demand, predominantly from wind, water, and solar sources. For the second consecutive year, renewable energy generation surpassed that of fossil fuels, highlighting the importance of transitioning away from fossil fuels to combat climate change.
The above-average rainfall in Europe in 2023, coupled with increased hydroelectric and wind energy production, resulted in a boost in renewable energy generation. The report notes that solar potential varied across Europe, with higher generation in the southwest and southern regions compared to the northwest and central areas. Overall, the shift towards renewable energy sources and away from fossil fuels is crucial in addressing the climate crisis and reducing greenhouse gas emissions responsible for extreme weather events. As Europe continues to experience record-breaking temperatures and events linked to the climate crisis, urgent action is needed to mitigate these impacts and transition towards a more sustainable future.
