According to a climate report, Europe, the world’s fastest-warming continent, was 2.3 degrees Celsius hotter last year than during pre-industrial times, with temperatures increasing by 1.5C above pre-industrial levels over the past 30 years.
The report, issued by the World Meteorological Organization and the European Union’s Copernicus Climate Change Service, warns of increased deadly heatwaves, drought, record sea-surface temperatures, and unprecedented glacier melt, which have led to wildfires, damage worth $2 billion, and over 16,000 heat-associated deaths in 2022.
On a positive note, the report highlights that wind and solar power generated 22.3% of European Union electricity in 2022, surpassing fossil gas for the first time.
No worries, just wait for the ice to melt and the gulf stream to stop flowing. It’ll cool down in no time! Maybe a disrupted polar vortex will then change from Siberian winters to Sahara heat summers and back every few weeks. While groundwater might be just as scarce as in the desert.
Anyway, don’t touch the economy or do you wanna end up in jail like other climate terrorists?
(Obviously sarcasm)
Edit: Regarding the “positive note”:
But, in one positive sign for the future, the report noted that wind and solar power generated 22.3 percent of European Union electricity in 2022, overtaking fossil gas (20 percent) for the first time.
Keep in mind that electricity is only responsible for a part of emissions. Even with 100 % green electricity one would be far from reaching net zero. Other big emitters are industry, transport and heating.
Welp, now I’m definitely depressed…
