The European Union’s head office issued a warning on Wednesday, stating that the recent devastating floods in Central Europe and deadly wildfires in Portugal are clear indications of a “climate breakdown” that will continue to occur regularly unless significant action is taken. EU Crisis Management Commissioner Janez Lenarcic emphasized that the current tragedies are becoming the new normal for the future.
Severe flooding, described as the worst in years, has caused casualties and widespread destruction in Central Europe, while northern Portugal has been battling deadly wildfires that have claimed the lives of at least six individuals. Lenarcic highlighted that Europe is the fastest warming continent globally, making it particularly susceptible to extreme weather events.
He also mentioned the escalating financial burden on nations due to the increasing costs of repairing damage from emergencies and the prolonged recovery process. Lenarcic stated that the average cost of disasters has risen significantly, surpassing 50 billion euros per year in recent times, underscoring that the cost of inaction is higher than that of action.
Terry Reintke, president of the Greens group in the European Parliament, estimated that the EU has incurred costs totaling 650 billion euros since the 1980s. The EU is facing challenges in swiftly implementing measures to combat climate change, encountering political resistance in several member states where environmental issues are met with opposition.
Reintke stressed the necessity for EU members to support the Green Deal, a comprehensive plan aimed at achieving climate neutrality by 2050. However, critics have raised concerns about the feasibility and costs of the ambitious plan, with populist and far-right parties using it as a focal point to criticize EU institutions.
Lenarcic urged the public to pay attention to the urgency of the climate crisis by following daily news reports, noting that the frequency of extreme weather events like flooding and wildfires has almost become an annual occurrence in Europe. He emphasized that the global impact of climate change is now significantly affecting the daily lives of Europeans.
