As of: March 12, 2024, 8:02 p.m
By: Kilian Bäuml
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Climate change is already noticeable.
In order to prevent catastrophic consequences, the European Environment Agency urgently recommends further measures.
Munich – Last year there were several environmental disasters, including the first forest fire in Spain in March.
Climate change is making extreme weather even worse, which is why there is a timetable for climate protection measures.
However, the effects of climate change are not being sufficiently stopped.
The European Environment Agency (EEA) urgently recommends further climate protection measures and otherwise warns of the “catastrophic” consequences of climate change.
Global warming will worsen extreme weather events such as heatwaves, droughts, wildfires and floods even in optimistic scenarios, affecting living conditions across the continent, the EEA warns in its first climate risk assessment report presented on Monday (March 11).
In fact, extreme weather is already “the new normal,” explained EUA boss Leena Ylä-Mononen.
The new findings should be seen as a warning.
Further climate protection measures required: European Environment Agency warns of the consequences of climate change
Many scientists are already concerned about global warming, among other things because a global temperature limit has already been exceeded.
The European Environment Agency report lists 36 climate risks to Europe and states that 21 of these risks require immediate additional action.
Eight risks even require urgent action.
These primarily include risks for Europe's ecosystems, especially in the seas and on the coasts.
In the fight against climate change, we rely on renewable energy.
(Symbolic image) © Oliver Berg/dpa
“To ensure the resilience of our societies, European and national policymakers must act now to reduce climate risks through both rapid emissions cuts and effective adaptation strategies and measures,” Ylä-Mononen is quoted as saying in an EEA press release.
Climate change endangers ecosystems in Europe: “can lead to significant loss of biodiversity”
According to the report, many marine ecosystems are in massive danger due to warming water, lack of oxygen and acidification - plus other human-caused environmental changes such as pollution and fishing.
“This may lead to significant biodiversity loss, including mass mortality events,” the EEA warns.
Numerous species are on the red list and could soon disappear from the earth.
The EEA is now calling on EU countries to recognize climate risks and take even more ambitious measures to adapt to these risks.
“We have to do more and make stronger policies,” warned Ylä-Mononen.
Effects of climate change in Europe: Environment Agency with warning, especially for southern Europe
According to the report, southern Europe is most at risk, where there is a risk of fires, water shortages and heat - and their effects on agriculture, work and health.
The effects of climate change are already noticeable in many places; Lake Garda was already almost dry.
Global warming can also be felt on the mountains, as there is less and less snow in ski areas.
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But according to the EEA, Northern Europe also needs to prepare for climate risks, as recently illustrated by storm surges and floods in Germany or forest fires in Sweden.
In the future, climate change could even change the entire German coast.
(kiba/AFP)