In 2019, higher temperatures were measured in Europe than in previous years, according to the annual European climate report.

It shows that eleven of the continent's twelve warmest years since measurements began have occurred since 2000.

Old temperature records were repeatedly broken in extreme heat waves in France, Germany and the UK in 2019. The heat contributed to widespread drought in southern Europe and the Arctic was almost one degree warmer than an average year during the year.

According to scientists, the situation will likely worsen as the Earth warms further.

The report has been produced on behalf of the EU, including by the European Meteorological Centre ECMWF with data from the EU's climate monitoring C3S (Copernicus Climate Change Service).

It is important to focus on Europe's long-term warming, says C3S director Carlo Buontempo.

”The warming trend is now unequivocal everywhere on the planet. And as a consequence, the frequency of these record-breaking readings is increasing,” he says.

Carbon dioxide emissions are expected to decrease in 2020 due to the economic consequences of the corona pandemic, but emissions are feared to increase again once the infection has been stopped.

The purpose of the climate report is to help politicians and other decision-makers act based on a clearer picture of the changing climate.

Source: TT