Climate Update for Friday, July 23, 2026

   

Lately, it feels like Europe has to brace for yet another heatwave almost as soon as the one that they were just dealing with ends. 

Indeed, Europe is getting ready for yet another massive heatwave. This one might bring record hot temperatures to affected regions - particularly Portugal, Spain, France (especially southern France) and Italy.

There are record wildfires in western Europe which have forced tens of thousands to evacuate the region. I heard somewhere that southern Portugal may see temperatures hit 50 degrees Centigrade in the coming days. And all of this now also is coming at a literal price, as an estimated €2 billion worth of crops has been lost.

You know, I remember back in the 1980's and 1990's, when I first learned about climate change/global warming, that detractors literally would laugh at those of us who believed this would happen. 

They stopped laughing, more or less after Hurricane Katrina almost destroyed New Orleans, and a few years later, when Sandy seriously damaged much of coasted New Jersey and New York. But then they argued that climate change would always happen, that it was not manmade.

Now today, regarding this heat wave, I saw something quite incredible. A National Review article (that's a conservative publication, and conservatives generally are the ones who oppose any action to counter climate change) now are arguing that cleaner air is what has made these record heatwaves so intense.

Is it possible?

Well, I am open to the science, if it is proven.

But my guess is that it won't be. In fact, it seems to me that they change their arguments anytime that they feel that they have exhausted their old ones, all in a stubborn attempt to deny the obvious and to avoid any blame. Also, of course, to keep raking in the profits while the planet burns. 

Literally, these days.

Food price fears after Europe’s heatwave destroys estimated €2bn of crops by Joanna Partridge Wed 22 Jul 2026 10.12 EDT

Record June temperatures expected to cut grain harvest by 9m tonnes to its lowest level since 2018  

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/jul/22/europe-heatwave-june-farming-lost-revenue-crop-damage

Food price fears after Europe’s heatwave destroys estimated €2bn of crops | Farming | The Guardian

Western Europe has hottest June on record Solar Protection. A woman walks down the street in Torremolinos, Spain, shielding herself as best she can from the scorching sun. David Montero Rodriguez/GHHIN-EJN Extreme Heat Photo Contest 2025. Solar Protection. A woman walks down the street in Torremolinos, Spain, shielding herself as best she can from the scorching sun. David Montero Rodriguez/GHHIN-EJN Extreme Heat Photo Contest 2025. UNBT Home News & Stories Events Calendar SourceWMO Modified date: 23/07/2026  

https://unric.org/en/europe-heatwave-2026-wmo/

Europe Heatwave 2026: WMO Warns of Rising Extreme Heat

European Heat Wave Driven by Cleaner Air, U.K. Climate Office Study Finds  Visitors wear hats distributed by the Red Cross and hold fans in front of the Parthenon temple atop the Acropolis hill during a heat wave in Athens, Greece, July 21, 2026.(Louiza Vradi/Reuters) Share    228 By Kamden Mulder July 23, 2026:

https://www.nationalreview.com/news/european-heat-wave-driven-by-cleaner-air-u-k-climate-office-study-finds/

European Heat Wave Driven by Cleaner Air, U.K. Climate Office Study Finds | National Review