Europe’s Battle Against Climate Change: 2023’s Extreme Weather Events and the Urgent Need for Action

In 2023, Europe experienced a series of extreme weather events that caused devastating impacts. Heatwaves, floods, droughts and wildfires all contributed to the loss of dozens of lives and billions of dollars in damages. Despite the challenges faced by the continent, Europe also came close to tying for the warmest year on record or was second only in some datasets used.

The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) published an annual climate report that highlighted Europe’s position as the fastest warming continent. This stark reminder emphasized the urgent need for action to address the impacts of climate change on European nations. The report was released in conjunction with the European Union’s Copernicus Climate Change Service, which underscored the importance of addressing rising human health impacts caused by climate change across Europe.