Europe Heatwave: Why is the Continent Still Unprepared?

A record-breaking heatwave is sweeping across Europe, forcing schools to close early and breaking temperature records in France, the UK, and Switzerland. Yet, despite decades of climate warnings, experts say the continent remains dangerously unprepared for rising heat. On Wednesday, Pierre Masselot received a text from his daughter’s nursery, less than 50 miles from a weather station that broke the UK’s June temperature record. The school asked parents to pick up their children early because the buildings were becoming dangerously hot. Similar scenes played out across Europe this week as the continent swelters through its most severe and widespread heatwave on record. Scientists say this oppressive heat is made worse by carbon pollution and repeated failures to prepare for it. France recorded its hottest day and night ever, while the UK and Switzerland both broke their June heat records. The scorching summer of 2003 first triggered efforts to address the problem. But heatwaves still have a devastating impact, highlighting a “sad inevitability” of inaction after decades of warnings.