How to cope with soaring temperatures?
Another heatwave is hovering over parts of Europe. The meteorological service in France has issued a red alert in 49 regions, and many schools have closed. In Spain, temperatures are set to rise to over 40 degrees in some places over the coming days, and the nights will not be much cooler. Germany and Switzerland are also sweltering in the heat. Commentators discuss how to adapt to the new norm in terms of weather.
Adaptation instead of paralysis
The French approach to dealing with the heatwave is not a long-term solution, warns L'Opinion:
“France is responding by voluntarily imposing a sort of lockdown: schools are being closed, oral A-level exams postponed and celebrations cancelled. In short, the country is pulling the emergency brake. ... In reality, we're left with two options. The first is to complain, postpone everything and bring the country to a standstill as soon as temperatures rise above 35 degrees. The second is to recognise that these heatwaves will return with increasing frequency and intensity, and that a modern country cannot come to a standstill for several weeks each year. Adapting does not mean giving up the fight against climate change. It is its logical consequence.”
Lakes in dire straits
The lakes that are drying out in Hungary should serve as a wake-up call, Népszava admonishes:
“In the climate crisis, our shallow lakes are seen as the weakest link in the chain. ... Yet they are a sign of the problems the entire ecosystem faces. The drying up of these vulnerable bodies of water is nature's cry for help – even if all we notice is that lakeside beaches are closed. ... We need a good solution, but not just for the lakes: entire ecosystems need immediate aid. Replenishment sounds good, but it's not enough: we need water storage, the revitalisation and interconnection of water systems and – above all – the realisation that it is not just our lakes that are in trouble.”
Finland becoming a paradise
Climate change is making life in the north more attractive, notes Helsingin Sanomat:
“In many parts of Europe, water is starting to become scarce. Drought and heat are destroying crops. The heat is claiming lives. ... In such a world, Finland is becoming a paradise in terms of the weather. There has already been talk of a growing trend of 'coolcation tourism', but this phenomenon could also have an impact on people's choice of permanent residence. On holiday, you can escape the heat by getting into the water, but in everyday life you need to be able to spend time outdoors and get enough sleep. And although getting through the long, dark winter in the north requires resilience, it could soon seem like child's play compared to months of relentless heat.”