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13 maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 19 JULY 2023 OPINION Emma Hill is Associate Professor in Energy & Environmental Management, Coventry University Ben Vivian is Assistant Professor in Sustainability & Environmental Management, Coventry University EUROPE is currently in the midst of a heatwave. Italy, in particular, is expected to face blistering heat, with tempera- tures projected to reach 40 o C to 45 o C. There's even a chance that the current European temperature record of 48.8 o C, set in Sicily in 2021, could be surpassed. Searing temperatures have spread to other countries in southern and eastern Europe, including France, Spain, Po- land and Greece. The heat will complicate the travel plans of those heading to popular hol- iday destinations across the region. Heatwaves, which are defined as prolonged periods of excep- tionally hot weather in a spe- cific location, can be extremely dangerous. Europe has experi- enced its fair share of devastat- ing heatwaves in the past. In 2003, a heatwave swept across Europe, claiming the lives of over 70,000 people. Then, in 2022, another heat- wave hit Europe, resulting in the deaths of almost 62,000 people. The current heatwave is be- ing caused by an anticyclone named Cerberus after the three-headed monster-dog that guards the gates of the un- derworld in Greek mythology. An anticyclone – or high-pres- sure system – is a normal me- teorological phenomenon in which sinking air from the up- per atmosphere brings about a period of dry and settled weather with limited cloud for- mation and little wind. High-pressure systems tend to be slow moving, which is why they persist for days, or even weeks at a time. They of- ten become semi-permanent features over large areas of land. When high pressure systems form over hot land, in regions like the Sahara, the stability of the system generates even hotter temperatures because the already warm air is heated even more. Eventually, the anticyclone will weaken or break down and the heatwave will come to an end. According to the Italian Meteorological Society, the Cerberus heatwave is expect- ed to persist for around two weeks. What role does climate change play? High pressure systems, like the one currently affecting Europe, have been expanding northwards in recent years. It's difficult to ascribe a single event, such as a heatwave, di- rectly to climate change. But as temperatures continue to warm, we are seeing changes in atmospheric circulation pat- terns that can lead to increased occurrences of extreme tem- peratures and drought in Eu- rope. Research by the Intergov- ernmental Panel on Climate Change confirms this trend. Its data shows an increase in the frequency and magnitude of extreme weather events since the 1950s. A separate analysis of Euro- pean heatwaves revealed an in- creasing severity of such events over the past two decades. In the summer of 2022, southern Europe experienced higher temperatures than usu- al for that time of the year. Spain, France and Italy saw daily maximum temperatures exceed 40°C. The EU's Copernicus Climate Change Service attributed these unusually hot conditions to climate change and suggest- ed that such events are likely to become more frequent, intense and last longer in the future – indicating a concerning trend that may continue this year. The dangers of extreme heat Heatwaves and extreme temperatures impact human health in a number of ways. These conditions can cause heatstroke, leading to symp- toms like headaches and diz- ziness. Dehydration resulting from the heat can also affect respiratory and cardiovascular performance. There have already been re- ports of heat-related health incidents in Europe during the ongoing heatwave. An Italian road worker died, and there have been numerous cases of heatstroke reported across Spain and Italy. The Italian Ministry of Health has advised residents and visi- tors in affected areas to take precautions like staying out of the sun during the hottest part of the day, remaining hydrated and to avoid alcohol consump- tion. But the effects of heatwaves go beyond individual health. They have broader social and economic consequences too. Extreme heat can damage road surfaces and even cause rail- way tracks to buckle. Heatwaves can also lead to reduced water availability, af- fecting electricity production, crop irrigation and drinking water supply. In 2022, scorch- ing heat meant French nucle- ar plants were unable to run at full capacity as higher river temperatures and low water levels affected their cooling ability. Research indicates that ex- treme heat has already had a negative impact on economic growth in Europe, lowering it by up to 0.5% over the past decade. As temperatures continue to rise, heatwaves will become more severe. It's crucial that governments worldwide take swift and decisive action to re- duce greenhouse gas emissions immediately. However, it's important to note that even if we were to completely halt global green- house gas emissions today, the climate would still continue to warm. This is due to the heat that is already absorbed and retained by the oceans. While we can slow down the rate of global warming, the effects of climate change will continue to be experienced in the future. European heatwave: what's causing it and is climate change to blame? Emma Hill & Ben Vivian There have already been reports of heat-related health incidents in Europe during the ongoing heatwave