Heatwave in Spain and Portugal made 100 times more likely due to climate emergency

A recent study by World Weather Attribution (WWA) has found that the record-breaking heatwave experienced in southern Europe and North Africa in April would have been “statistically impossible” if it weren’t for human-induced global warming. The extreme heat, which saw temperatures soar to 40C in Spain, Portugal, Morocco and Algeria, was found to be at least 100 times more likely to occur due to the effects of climate change. The situation is set to worsen as temperatures in the Mediterranean are increasing faster than climate models have previously predicted. The report’s authors suggest long-term planning is necessary, including adapting sustainable agricultural practices and effective water management policies. The impact of heatwaves has already had a catastrophic effect on the region, with 4,000 deaths in Spain and over 1,000 deaths in Portugal in 2022, while Algeria, Morocco and Tunisia face high numbers of fatalities annually. Further measures are needed to prepare for increased heatwaves and mitigate their effects, including stopping the burning of fossil fuels. Last month, temperature records were broken in a dozen Asian countries, resulting in heatstroke deaths in India and Thailand.