Europe, the world's fastest-warming continent, has endured record-breaking heat and destructive wildfires this summer. A severe heat wave has pushed temperatures in Central Europe to extreme levels, leading Italy to place all of its major cities under the highest heat alert.
National temperature records have been broken in Austria, and Slovakia has also experienced its hottest day on record. The extreme heat has fueled wildfires in France and contributed to a drought that has forced Hungary to cut power use as the drought hit a nuclear plant.
The heat has disrupted energy and transportation systems across the continent. This heatwave has exposed vulnerabilities in public health systems, power generation, transportation networks, and tourism infrastructure.
As a result, governments are being forced to adapt to more frequent periods of extreme weather.