Climate extremes impact European cities and marine ecosystems

Record-breaking temperatures are driving significant ecological and urban challenges across Europe. In Italy, Foggia has been identified as the city most affected by climate change over the last fifty years, according to the 2026 Climate Report of the 21st Century by iLMeteo.it and Corriere della Sera. The report highlights rising temperatures and an increase in super-tropical nights. In response, the political group Europa Verde is calling for urgent urban adaptation strategies, focusing on increasing tree coverage and reducing heat islands to protect public health.

Simultaneously, European seas have experienced their warmest summer months on record, with average surface temperatures reaching 21.6 degrees Celsius. This marine heatwave is causing severe ecological disruptions, such as the collapse of seaweed forests in northern Spain, where up to 95 percent of habitats in Asturias have disappeared since 2010. These changes are threatening the livelihoods of coastal fishing communities from Spain to southern England, as traditional species like lobster and sea urchins decline while southern predators migrate into new territories.