Europe Endures Extreme Drought Driven by Climate‑Change Heat

A study by World Weather Attribution (WWA) finds that unprecedented summer heat, amplified by human‑caused climate change, is evaporating water from soils, rivers and reservoirs across Europe. The analysis says the likelihood of such extreme drought is about 80 times higher in Western Europe and 40 times higher in Eastern Europe than in pre‑industrial conditions.

Countries reporting severe impacts include France, which may see its lowest wheat harvest in 50 years; Romania, where irrigation water for farmers has been restricted; the Netherlands, which declared a water shortage; and seven Greek islands placed in emergency status. Spain has suffered deadly wildfires, and the southern United Kingdom has imposed water‑use bans. About 9 million tonnes of grain are at risk, river levels are falling and hydropower production is dropping, threatening both agriculture and energy supplies.

Scientists stress that the drought is now driven primarily by extreme heat rather than a lack of rainfall. “Extreme heat is now the main driver of drought in our continent,” said climate scientist Sara Kiu of the Royal Dutch Meteorological Institute. UN climate chief Simon Stiell warned that the situation is a red alert for humanity and called for a rapid shift to renewable energy.