It's strange, because I have reported here (from major news sources, I should point out) about some heat waves in recent weeks in Europe.
Yet, there is a massive heatwave about to hit Europe, and many of these same news sources (like the Guardian) are suggesting that this is the first major heatwave for Europe this year.
So be it. My guess is that this is clearly the most severe heatwave that Europe will experience to this point in 2025. In some parts of southern Spain, temperatures might climb up to 42C (107.6F), That is staggeringly hot.
Regions which are affected by this extreme heat are taking precautions. Two-thirds of Portugal is under extreme heat warning, and forest fires are a major concern. In Marseilles, the second largest city in France, swimming pools are going to be free, so that everyone can have a chance to cool down. In parts of Italy, there is a ban on outdoor work in place during peak temperatures during the heatwave days.
There are also concerns and warnings about other heat-related risks, such as the spread of wildfires.
The heatwave follows a series of broken extreme-heat records, including Europe’s hottest March ever, according to the EU’s Copernicus climate monitor. As a result of the planet’s warming, extreme weather events, including hurricanes, droughts, floods and heatwaves, have become more frequent and intense, scientists warn.
Last year was the hottest in recorded history so far and led to worldwide disasters, costing more than $300bn (£219bn). A Lancet Public Health study published last year found that heat deaths in Europe could triple by the end of the century, with the numbers rising disproportionately in southern countries such as Italy, Greece and Spain.
In another article published by Euronews (see link below), one meteorologists specifically warned that these kinds of sweltering conditions are, for all intents and purposes, the new normal:
One French meteorologist, Jérôme Cerisier, says they are expecting 10 to 15 degrees above the seasonal average.
"A new anticyclone is settling over France, and we’ll once again have what we call a ‘heat dome’, with temperatures rising by 1 to 2°C day after day. The warm air is self-sustaining, the skies are clear, so we’ll once again see exceptional values, often 10 to 15°C above seasonal averages, and for the long term," said Cerisier.
Again, I wonder if people feel that maybe it's time to have a serious discussion about the impact of climate change, instead of making excuses for how all of this really is that out of the ordinary, and there is no real proof yet - spend a few hours outside during the peak temperatures in regions experiencing heat waves like this if you still need proof - and all of the other doubts which skeptics fixate on.
But this sure looks real to me. It sure felt real to me last week, when we here in the northeastern United States were experiencing the hottest, most uncomfortable heatwave in well over a century, dating back to 1888. Record heatwaves in North America, in Europe. This year, we saw the hottest March on record in Europe and Asia. Last year was the hottest year on record in European history, and it seems like this year might contend for that title as well.
It's time to acknowledge that all of this is not normal. That global warming/climate change is real, and that we really need to do something.
Yet here in the United States, we keep empowering idiots with obviously vested interests in denying climate change, which also obviously means denying any kind of action on climate change. For God's sake, we have a sitting president who infamously claimed that climate change is nothing more than a Chinese hoax.
But if this is a Chinese hoax, I have to say that the Chinese are light years ahead of us in terms of their capabilities. Because this sure looks and feels real as hell to me.
You know, when I first heard about climate change as a kid back in the eighties, I remember thinking that it was hard to imagine. At the time, officials (particularly high-ranking officials here in the United States, like President Reagan) clearly did not take the threat of climate change seriously. In fact, I remember many people literally laughed at the idea.
I wonder if those people are still laughing?
If so, we cannot help but wonder just what in the hell is wrong with them?
It's time to end the debate on whether climate change is real or not. Clearly, there are simply too many such unusual headlines to dismiss all of them, or claim that there is "nothing" to this whole global warming thing. We need to recognize that apparently there will always be some people who remain skeptics, and it's time to leave them behind, frankly. They have been expressing the same cynicism for many decades now, and otherwise have contributed absolutely nothing to the discussion. Quite the opposite, they often prevent a serious discussion.
However, we need to understand that we will never get everyone to admit that climate change is not a merely some elaborate hoax. Sure, some people are comforted by the idea that this is fake, even when there is overwhelming and frankly undeniable evidence to the contrary. This should not prevent the rest of us from acknowledging what is plainly and obviously right in front of our eyes, because this is indeed climate change.
And yes, this is all too real.
Below are the links to the stories on this latest European massive heatwave, from which I obtained most of the information and all of the quotes used above:
Europe on alert as first major heatwave of 2025 pushes temperatures to 42C by Sam Jones in Venice Sat 28 Jun 2025.
Authorities in Spain, Portugal, Greece and France issue extreme heat, wildfire and health warnings
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/jun/28/europe-on-alert-as-first-major-heatwave-of-2025-pushes-temperatures-to-42c
Extreme heatwave hits Europe with temperatures expected up to 44°C by Euronews with EBU Published on 27/06/2025:
https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2025/06/27/extreme-heat-wave-hits-europe-with-temperatures-expected-up-to-44c
Southern Europe roasts as first heatwave of the summer scorches continent Southern Europe struggles with soaring heat as temperatures hit 40C, sparking fears of wildfires and health risks.
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/6/28/southern-europe-roasts-as-first-heatwave-of-the-summer-scorches-continent
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