If you don’t believe in climate change or question human role in accelerating this phenomenon, that’s fine! A small group of people still think like you and sadly the most powerful man in the world, the current US president, belongs to that club (which has made international efforts in addressing this global threat more challenging).

However, regardless of your opinion, all scientific evidence is suggesting that we need to get prepared, adapt our lifestyles and strengthen our infrastructures for the impacts of extreme weather events; e.g. heatwaves, flash floods, hurricanes and droughts that we expect to occur more frequently than before because of the climate change impacts. The record-setting heat wave in Europe in 2019 is the latest example.

The current heatwave, concerning the high temperatures, seems to be worse than what happened in 2003, which was the hottest summer in Europe since 1500 AD and caused a large number of heat-related fatalities. It’s estimated that the heatwave in 2003 has caused at least 35,000 additional deaths. Heatwaves, like the one that Europe just experienced, affect our life at different levels.

Heatstroke and dehydration are immediate results of being exposed to high temperatures, which puts extra pressure on hospitals and health professional to treat those members of the general public affected. Moreover, less rain and more evaporation endangers the water supply in urban areas, and in the rural environments, crop yield drops, which means higher food prices. Buckled railway tracks, unbearable underground transport systems, melted road surfaces and even low river levels that could restrain sailing are direct effects of extreme temperatures.