Climatologists note that the average annual temperature in Central Europe has increased by 2°C over the past six decades.
According to Reuters, the number of days with temperatures reaching +35 degrees Celsius in the world’s 20 largest capitals has increased by 52% over the past three decades. More than 300 million people live in these densely populated capitals, making them particularly vulnerable to rising temperatures as asphalt and buildings absorb and retain heat.
Therefore, a comprehensive approach to mitigating the effects of climate change, adapting to its impacts, and ensuring access to sustainable and reliable energy is not a future necessity but a current imperative. Experts emphasize that addressing climate change adaptation must be tackled immediately.
Climate change in Europe
Scientists say there is an 86% probability that one of the next five years will surpass 2023 and become the hottest year on record.
Professor of Climate Science at the University of Reading, Richard Allan, suggests that the scorching weather experienced last year is likely to repeat itself this year, followed by contrasting conditions. Eeva Ruuska, a representative of Risk Line, also agrees that temperatures will remain above average in 2024. She advises tourists who struggle with extreme heat to plan their summer vacations more responsibly and closely monitor weather forecasts closer to their departure dates, as predicting weather in today’s unstable conditions becomes increasingly challenging.
According to experts cited by Mirror, extreme weather conditions will continue to plague the planet, with waves of intense heat alternating with sharp cooling and powerful hurricanes.
European Experience
Thousands of European cities that signed the Covenant of Mayors have committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by at least 35% by 2030 and adapting to climate change impacts. On its initiative, Czech City Brno raised this target to 40%, relying on the anticipated results from climate adaptation projects.
Educational programs for local government officials play a vital role in engaging municipal authorities to tackle climate challenges. In the Czech Republic, two accredited government programs are operational: “Public Administration in Urban Climate Change Adaptation” and “Climate Change Adaptation for Cities and Municipalities.”
The Adapterra platform by the Partnership Foundation offers an “Educational Course for Municipal Employees,” providing practical advice on various climate-related situations, such as overcoming heat, cooling overheated cities, conserving water, caring for trees, and constructing buildings that do not overheat in summer.
The foundation organizes conferences and an annual contest for the best climate adaptation measures in the Czech Republic and Austria, with participation from neighboring EU countries.
Climate Adaptation Plans in Ukraine
Despite the ongoing war, Ukrainian communities use the best European practices for sustainable urban and rural development. Read more about projects and all sections of the Ukrainian energy sector on ua-energy.org.
The European Live program, now available in Ukraine, focuses significantly on implementing adaptation measures, albeit currently limited to small infrastructure projects worth a few million euros.
Developing a Sustainable Energy and Climate Action Plan (SECAP) opens the door to European funding for larger projects.
In the residential sector, the absence of stormwater drainage systems designed for heavy rains is a significant issue for many Ukrainian communities. Simple, local measures, such as creating rain gardens with drainage systems, can provide effective solutions.
Changing Climate Shapes Vacation Preferences
The European Commission study reveals that while sun and sea were once integral to summer holidays in Europe, the heat has made these aspects less appealing to tourists. With this shift, traditional southern European resorts are likely to lose some of their allure in the coming years.
As outlined in the report, southern European regions could see a nearly 10% decrease in tourist numbers during summer if temperatures rise 3 or 4°C above the seasonal average.
Conversely, the demand for tours to Northern European countries is expected to increase by approximately 5%. Italy, France, Portugal, Cyprus, and Greece are predicted to be among the least favored destinations. Greece might be hit hardest, facing the potential loss of almost one in ten tourists. This reshuffling of tourist preferences is also set to introduce new peak travel periods to Europe. April is anticipated to become a more popular time for journeys, with travel during this period projected to increase by 8.89%. In contrast, July is expected to witness the sharpest decline, with an average decrease of 5.72%.
According to the European Travel Commission, this scenario is already becoming a reality, as the number of travelers intending to vacation in Greece, Spain, or Portugal from June to November of this year has decreased by 10% due to abnormal temperatures.
