Europe’s Summer Felt Like a Gamechanger. Will Next Year Be Any Different?

This summer, Europe has experienced a series of extreme weather events that have caused widespread concern and worry. From weeks without rain to record-breaking temperatures, failed harvests, and widespread fires, the impact has been impossible to ignore for both the public and politicians. With the El Niño phenomenon building into one of the strongest ever recorded, meteorologists are now looking ahead to next summer, with the UK's Met Office predicting that 2027 could be as hot as 2024.

Even if it doesn't reach those heights, climate change means future heat waves will be longer, more intense, and more frequent. Beatrice Mosello, a senior research fellow at Chatham House, notes that these heat waves and wildfires serve as a clear and direct evidence that people can no longer ignore the effects of climate change.

Polling shows that there has been a significant increase in concern about the environment following the record heat wave in France, with similar trends in Austria and the UK. Governments are beginning to take notice, with Germany's environment minister pushing for constitutional changes to increase central government responsibility for climate adaptation.

Spain has also announced more funding for climate shelters and air conditioning in schools. However, tangible changes are likely to take longer, as many hospitals in Europe are in older buildings without comprehensive air conditioning, leaving them particularly vulnerable to overheating. Despite some postponed operations this summer, hospitals and healthcare facilities continue to face many other demands on their time and budgets.

Tight national budgets and competing priorities, including wars in Iran and Ukraine and political instability, also pose challenges for adaptation efforts. While some right-wing populist politicians have seized on air conditioning as a political wedge issue, denying the scientific consensus on climate change, experts argue that adaptation efforts are crucial and must be embraced at all levels of government.

The persistence of this year's heat and its effects, including fires, trade disruption, power and water outages, and desiccated public spaces, should serve as a reminder to better prepare for next summer.