The European Union has issued a stark warning following the recent devastating floods in Central Europe and deadly wildfires in Portugal, labeling them as evidence of a looming 'climate breakdown' that could become the new normal without urgent action.
The floods, described as the worst in years, have wreaked havoc across Central Europe, claiming lives and destroying homes. Meanwhile, in northern Portugal, raging wildfires have resulted in the tragic loss of at least six lives.
EU Crisis Management Commissioner emphasized that Europe is the fastest warming continent globally, making it particularly susceptible to extreme weather events. He stressed that the current situation is indicative of what the future holds if climate change is not addressed promptly.
The financial toll of these disasters is also significant, with the cost of repairing damages and facilitating recovery escalating over the years. The average cost of disasters in the 1980s stood at 8 billion euros annually, but recent figures for 2021 and 2022 have soared to over 50 billion euros per year.
According to estimates, the EU has incurred costs amounting to 650 billion euros since the 1980s due to climate-related disasters. The urgency to combat climate change is underscored by the need for collective action and support for initiatives like the EU's Green Deal.
However, the EU's efforts to address climate change have faced challenges, including political opposition in some member states. Critics have raised concerns about the feasibility and cost of the EU's plan to achieve climate neutrality by 2050, with populist and far-right parties using it as a focal point for their criticisms.
The Commissioner highlighted the increasing frequency of extreme weather events, emphasizing that the climate breakdown is no longer a distant threat but a reality affecting the daily lives of Europeans. Urgent action is needed to mitigate the impacts of climate change and safeguard the future of the continent.
