Record Heat Waves Sweep Europe and the US

A The summer of 2026 has brought unusually intense heat to large parts of Europe and North America, with several regions recording temperatures well above seasonal averages. Meteorologists have linked the extended periods of extreme heat to broader patterns associated with climate change, warning that such conditions may become increasingly common in future summers. B The consequences of the heat have been serious in some areas. In Italy, high temperatures accelerated the spread of algae along major rivers, prompting emergency clean-up efforts, while wildfires and smoke affected cities in parts of southeastern Europe. In the United States, a heat wave around the Independence Day holiday weekend was linked to at least twenty-five deaths, highlighting the direct danger that extreme temperatures can pose, particularly to elderly people and those without access to reliable cooling. C In response, some local governments have introduced emergency measures, such as opening cooling centres in public buildings and issuing health warnings encouraging people to limit outdoor activity during the hottest parts of the day. Environmental groups have also used these events to draw public attention to climate change, staging demonstrations intended to highlight the urgency of reducing greenhouse gas emissions, even as debate continues over how quickly such changes can realistically be achieved.