Rivers and groundwater at their lowest levels, heatwaves and massive fires: last summer showed how Europe is being affected by climate change, according to a report by the European Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S).

The world is warming due to the concentration of greenhouse gases caused by human activities, mainly carbon dioxide and methane – the concentration of which in the atmosphere last year reached the highest level recorded by satellites.

The previous eight years were the warmest on record, C3S noted in its report, confirming preliminary data published in January.

Europe, where temperatures are rising at twice the global average, last year experienced its hottest summer on record since records began in 1950. Temperatures on the continent have risen by 2.2 degrees Celsius compared to with the pre-industrial era, compared to only 1.2 degrees Celsius for the entire planet.

“The report highlights worrying trends, with 2022 yet another record year for greenhouse gas concentrations, extreme temperatures, wildfires and (lack of) rainfall, events that have had significant impacts in ecosystems and communities across the continent,” underlined Carlo Buodebo, director of C3S.

“We are moving into the unknown,” he added.

Reduced harvests

“Across the world some years will be warmer and others cooler. But the chances of more warm years are increasing,” reminded C3S Deputy Director Samantha Burgess.

Europe was also hit by a severe drought last year, with below-normal snow during the winter of 2021-22 and then below-normal rainfall during spring across much of the continent. Alpine glaciers lost ice equivalent to 5 square kilometers.

Heatwaves in the summer contributed to the “extensive and prolonged drought”, which had a negative impact on sectors such as agriculture, energy and river transport.

At the same time the flow of rivers in Europe was the second lowest ever recorded, while 2022 was “the sixth year with below average flow”.

The Copernicus agency calculated that the flow of 63% of European rivers was below average, a record figure.

This year agriculture will be particularly affected in southern Europe. France is already on high alert, with authorities imposing restrictions on water use, as is Spain, where water reservoirs are at unusually low levels.

“There will likely be reduced yields due to the dry winter and spring,” Burgess said.

It is “necessary” to reduce emissions

Last summer’s drought and heat favored wildfires in Europe, which caused the largest release of carbon dioxide since 2017, according to the Copernicus agency.

“Germany, Spain, France and Slovenia saw their highest rate of fire-related outbreaks in at least 20 years as south-west Europe faced some of the biggest fires on record,” he added.

“Reducing greenhouse gases is essential to limit the worst effects of climate change,” Burgess noted.

“Understanding and responding to changes and switching resources from renewable energy sources such as wind and solar are essential to support the energy transition towards carbon neutrality,” she underlined.