請更新您的瀏覽器

您使用的瀏覽器版本較舊,已不再受支援。建議您更新瀏覽器版本,以獲得最佳使用體驗。

Eng

Xinhua Headlines: Escalating climate crisis in Europe calls for closer int'l cooperation

XINHUA

發布於 2024年10月05日11:49 • Cui Li,Zhang Zhang,Zhang Xin,Zhang Zhaoqing,Guo Shuang,Larry Neild,Zhang Xinwen,Zhou Yue,Ceng Yan,Zhang Gaiping,Yin Xiaosheng,Deng Yaomin,Alberto Lingria,Li Jing,Cristian Cristel,He Canling,Guo Lei,Zhao Xiaona

* Extreme heat waves and flash floods are becoming increasingly common in Europe, which used to enjoy mild weather conditions.

* The escalating extreme weather in Europe, from storms and hail to floods and heatwaves, is a warning sign of the growing impact of climate change.

* Experts have called for closer international efforts to build resilient infrastructure and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

by Xinhua Writers Cui Li, Zhang Zhang

WARSAW, Oct. 5 (Xinhua) -- Storm-triggered floods hit central Bosnia and Herzegovina on Friday, killing 19 people and leaving many others missing along the Neretva River, one of the country's major waterways.

At the same time, several Central European countries have been recovering from their worst flooding in over two decades.

Extreme heat waves and flash floods are becoming increasingly common on the continent, which used to enjoy mild weather conditions.

"There's evidence that they're increasing in severity," Professor Manoj Joshi, an expert in climate dynamics at the School of Environmental Sciences at the University of East Anglia in Britain, has told Xinhua.

Experts have called for closer international efforts to build resilient infrastructure and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Members of flood commission monitor the state of the Vltava River in Prague, the Czech Republic, on Sept. 16, 2024. (Photo by Dana Kesnerova/Xinhua)

EXTREME WEATHER ACROSS EUROPE

In recent months, countries such as Poland, Austria, the Czech Republic, and Romania have also experienced catastrophic floods, resulting in dozens of casualties, economic damage, and widespread disruptions.

Poland, one of the hardest-hit countries, has suffered damage worth approximately 9 billion U.S. dollars, equivalent to about one percent of its GDP.

In Lower Austria, villages were evacuated and a dam failed as floods inundated areas. The consequent damage to sewer systems left 1,500 people without proper sewage services.

In the Czech Republic, floods began on Sept. 13, prompting thousands to evacuate. Romania reported seven deaths as floodwaters submerged entire villages, turning streets into rivers, and heavily damaging local infrastructure.

In Italy, cities such as Rome, Naples, and Florence experienced record-high temperatures. This marks the third consecutive year of such extreme heat, with the first heatwave of 2024 arriving even before the routine start of summer. In Sicily, extreme water shortages coming along with heatwaves prompted tourist cities to advise visitors to leave, signaling the severity of the drought crisis.

Tourists sheltered under parasols visit the Colosseum amid a heatwave in Rome, Italy, July 12, 2024. (Photo by Alberto Lingria/Xinhua)

According to Katja Klancar, a meteorologist at the States' Agency for the Environment in Slovenia, Europe is warming at the fastest rate of all continents and thus facing more intense and frequent heatwaves, droughts and downpours.

"While heat waves and extreme temperatures have natural causes, climate change amplifies their frequency, intensity, and duration. The current global temperature increase of 1.2 Celcius degrees is altering regional temperature patterns, as seen in Romania," Bogdan Antonescu, an atmospheric physics expert, from Romania's National Research and Development Institute for Earth Physics, told Xinhua.

Dr. Aleksandra Kardas from the University of Warsaw emphasizes that global warming is accelerating the water cycle, causing more intense rainfall in already wet areas and exacerbating droughts in some regions. "Warmer temperatures increase evaporation and the probability of heavy downpours, but they don't alleviate drought problems; they make them worse."

A woman drinks water by the Fountain of the Lions in Rome, Italy, July 14, 2024. (Xinhua/Li Jing)

Fifty years ago, the zero-degree level sat at around 600 meters above sea level. Today, with warmer winters, the level has risen to around 850 meters. The Swiss Climate Change Scenarios CH2018 predict that the zero-degree level will climb a further 400-650 meters by 2060 without climate change mitigation, which will take the level to a shocking altitude of around 1,300-1,500 meters.

GROWING IMPACT OF CLIMATE CHANGE

The escalating extreme weather in Europe, from storms and hail to floods and heatwaves, is a warning sign of the growing impact of climate change.

"Improving forecasts is vital, but translating them into effective actions remains the most important. Reducing emissions and enhancing preparedness are essential to mitigating future flood impacts," Jeff Da Costa, a climate scientist at the University of Reading in England, told Xinhua.

Prof. Artur Magnuszewski, a hydrologist from the University of Warsaw, pointed out the relationship between human lifestyle and an increasingly harsh nature. "The 'urban heat island' effect, caused by rapid city development and sealed surfaces, has worsened the situation. Cities absorb heat and intensify convective currents, leading to more severe thunderstorms and downpours that overwhelm outdated sewer systems," he said.

A man clears his residence after flood in Galati County, Romania, Sept. 16, 2024. (Photo by Cristian Cristel/Xinhua)

According to the recently released 8th edition of the EU Copernicus Ocean State Report, due to the influence of greenhouse gas emissions caused by human activities, the global ocean is warming at an accelerating rate, with its warming rate nearly doubling since 2005.

The report emphasizes that ocean changes not only affect marine ecosystems but also have significant impacts on the Earth's climate system.

People walk by a spray installation amid a heatwave in Vienna, Austria, July 16, 2024. (Xinhua/He Canling)

Research from Newcastle University indicates that by the end of the century, Europe could experience up to 14 times more frequent slow-moving storms, bringing heavy rainfall and causing floods.

"Such extreme events are becoming more common," said Prof. Szymon Malinowski from the University of Warsaw. "Addressing climate change requires not only large-scale efforts but also rethinking urban planning and developing sustainable city structures to better handle the challenges of a warming world."

SPEEDY ACTIONS IN URGENT NEED

Many climate experts cited the recent severe flooding in Central and Eastern Europe as a testament to the urgent need to adapt to a rapidly changing climate.

Prof. Joshi called for speedy actions and government commitment to reach the net-zero emissions targets they have set. "Lots of countries have net-zero trajectories. Whether we are doing enough or not, that's now a political question or even a moral question," he said.

He highlighted the importance of translating public awareness into policy action, as society increasingly recognizes the urgent need to address climate change.

In light of the recent extreme weather events, European governments have taken active action. For example, Poland launched "Operation Phoenix," mobilizing over 26,000 soldiers to assist flood relief efforts. The European Commission has also announced a 10-billion-euro fund to support EU member states affected by floods.

This photo taken on March 24, 2024 shows a view of Fox Glacier on the west coast of the South Island, New Zealand. (Photo by Yang Liu/Xinhua)

Globally, more also needs to be done. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has stressed the need for international policies that focus not only on mitigating climate change through emissions reductions but also on adaptation measures to strengthen resilience against extreme weather.

Climate scientist Jeff Da Costa voiced a similar view. He said nations should collaborate on cross-border flood management strategies and work towards global emission reduction commitments. "Enhancing early warning systems and communication channels during emergencies is essential for protecting lives and property. International cooperation is also critical, as climate change knows no borders," he said.

"Building resilient infrastructure, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and developing comprehensive disaster risk management strategies are key. As extreme weather events become more frequent, proactive measures are necessary to address the challenges they pose," Da Costa said. (Video reporters: Zhao Xiaona, Guo Shuang, Larry Neild; Video editors: Jia Xiaotong, Li Qin, Zhou Sa'ang, Zhu Cong, Zhang Yichi.)■

Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...

留言 0

沒有留言。

最新內容

Strong, practical relations with China positively impact Rwandan people: FM

XINHUA

China will continue being an important driving force for global connectivity: foreign ministry

XINHUA

Update: Typhoon Wutip makes landfall in China's Hainan

XINHUA

Southern China on high alert as Typhoon Wutip makes landfall

XINHUA

Column: America's "Golden Dome": a futile attempt with no winners

XINHUA

Iranian president vows "powerful" response to Israeli strikes

XINHUA

VIVOTEK Earned Level 2 in TWSE's 11th Corporate Governance Evaluation, Top 5% Among NT$5-10B Cap Enterprises

PR Newswire (美通社)

Xinhua Headlines: Israeli attacks on Iran raises risk of regional conflict

XINHUA

Typhoon Wutip makes landfall in China's Hainan

XINHUA

New image of "Made-in-China" captures hearts around the world

XINHUA

China dominates 1st day of World Aquatics Artistic Swimming World Cup 2025 Super Final

XINHUA

SCO members discuss sci-tech cooperation

XINHUA

Anytime Fitness Asia Launches Its Biggest-Ever Regional Brand Campaign - "Train For Your Life"

PR Newswire (美通社)

2025 Land-Sea Economic Forum Drives China-ASEAN Industrial Cooperation

PR Newswire (美通社)

Update: People evacuated, flights canceled as south China braces for Typhoon Wutip

XINHUA

"Please, let me save just one more"

XINHUA

Israeli strikes on Iran prompt widespread condemnation in Middle East

XINHUA

China moves to curb misconduct in healthcare sector

XINHUA

New Chinese database bridges global gaps in plant trait data

XINHUA

Mainland slams DPP for manipulation of judiciary to suppress mainland ship captain

XINHUA

Xinhua Headlines: From internet to reality, foreign influencers see a vibrant China

XINHUA

Explainer: What is known about Air India plane crash?

XINHUA

Local media report says 1 black box of crashed Air India plane found

XINHUA

TGE Pioneers an Iconic Fashion Show at the New York Stock Exchange's Trading Floor

PR Newswire (美通社)

China's delicate waxberries go global with smart logistics support

XINHUA

MEXC Launches Golden Era Showdown Mid-Year Trading Event with a 10 Million USDT Prize Pool

PR Newswire (美通社)

On-site report: escalation between Israel, Iran

XINHUA

WorldInFocus | Five Central Asian countries in a glance

XINHUA

27th Shanghai International Film Festival Kicks Off with a Wave of Chinese Cinema

PR Newswire (美通社)

Revised edition of Chen Yun's works published to mark 120th birth anniversary

XINHUA

Mainland slams DPP for blocking cross-Strait exchanges

XINHUA

Chinese premier chairs meeting on pilot free trade zone, real estate

XINHUA

Beijing braces for heavy rainfall

XINHUA

SABRE topline results: Cu-64 SAR-Bombesin is effective in detecting prostate cancer recurrence in patients with negative SOC imaging

PR Newswire (美通社)

Xinhua Commentary: China-Africa partnership an unshakable bond

XINHUA

The Warmth of Dialogue Between Civilizations -- A 700-Year Journey of Shared Aspirations

PR Newswire (美通社)

Neurophet Participates in BIO USA 2025: To showcase Brain Imaging Analysis Solutions Including 'Neurophet AQUA AD'

PR Newswire (美通社)

Xi urges hard work to build strong China as CPC marks 120th birth anniversary of veteran leader Chen Yun

XINHUA

Ping An Ranks 27th on Forbes' Global 2000 List

PR Newswire (美通社)

"Hong Kong ACTION" Officially Launched, GAC Group Showcased Technological Ecosystem Product Matrix at 2025 International Automotive & Supply Chain Expo (Hong Kong)

PR Newswire (美通社)