Europe is warming rapidly, with temperatures rising twice as fast as the world average, according too scientists at Copernicus, the EU’s Earth observation program.
The Copernicus report attributed the anomaly to the fact that warming takes place more rapidly over land than oceans, and to Europe’s Arctic connection; the Arctic areas are warming even faster than the rest of the continent. Last summer was Europe’s hottest summer ever, and 2022 was the second hottest year.
The effects are being felt especially in Mediterranean areas which are normally hotter than the rest of Europe, but are also affecting areas such as Norway’s Arctic Svalbard area. In Switzerland, glacier coverage continues to be threatened with significant loss last year, and more expected this year due to scanty snowpack, about 30% below the 10-year average.
Image: European lake bed dried by 2022 drought
