Europe had the hottest summer on record and the second warmest year ever in 2022
Europe endured its hottest summer on record in 2022 and its second warmest year ever, according to a damning new report. It also reveals how temperatures across the continent are rising at twice the global average, with the landmass having experienced 3.96F (2.2C) of warming since pre-industrial times. Even more worrying is that scientists behind the annual European State of the Climate report say the probability of getting a warmer year is increasing every 12 months because of soaring greenhouse gases worldwide. The report has been put together using data from satellites, in situ measurements and numerical weather prediction models. It follows a summer in which extreme heatwaves and drought gripped hold of Europe. Summer wildfires also generated the highest carbon emissions in 15 years leading to a record melt of Alpine glaciers as five cubic kilometers of ice disappeared. 'Southern Europe experienced a record number of days with "very strong heat stress",' the report read. 'There is also a decreasing trend in the number of days with "no heat stress".' Heat stress is increasingly viewed as a significant global issue, with high temperatures creating hazardous conditions for human health. In its report, the Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S) defined 'very strong heat stress' as temperatures between 38 to 46C, while 'extreme heat stress' was considered to be hotter than 46C. Days with 'very strong heat stress' were seen to be rising across Europe, while extreme heat stress is worsening in southern Europe. The worrying research follows last year's summer of severe drought, with firefighters battling rampant blazes in countries such as France, Spain, Italy and even southern England. a big leap from the previous record of 38.7C in 2019. Last June, 11 villages were also forced to evacuate in Spain in the midst of 42.7C temperatures. These disasters came amid Europe's hottest ever summer at 1.4C above the reference period of 1991-2020. The temperature spikes are twice the global average, as shown by data gathered using satellites, weather prediction models and other tools. Research shows that these trends are only expected to worsen, with many believing that we are running out of time to deal with extreme weather events. Mauro Facchini, Head of Earth Observation at the Directorate General for Defence Industry and Space, said: 'The IPCC's latest synthesis report warns that we are running out of time, and that global warming has resulted in more frequent and more intense extreme weather events, as is the case for Europe. 'Only accurate information and data on the current state of the climate can help us achieve the goals we have set, and the European State of the Climate report is an essential tool to support the European Union with its climate adaptation agenda and commitment to reach climate neutrality by 2050.' Similar patterns were also witnessed in the Arctic which experienced its sixth warmest year on record. Exceptional heatwaves in September caused record-breaking ice sheet melt in Greenland, while the Svalbard region saw its warmest summer on record. Director of C3S, Carlo Buontempo, also warned that these figures were 'alarming' but crucial to understanding how we can better cope with the impacts of climate change. He said: 'The report highlights alarming changes to our climate, including the hottest summer ever recorded in Europe, marked by unprecedented marine heatwaves in the Mediterranean Sea and record-breaking temperatures in Greenland. 'Understanding the climate dynamics in Europe is crucial for our efforts to adapt and mitigate the negative impacts climate change has on the continent.'