Europe struggled to cope with a record-breaking heatwave on Wednesday. At least 94 million people were expected to experience temperatures above 35C, most of them in France and Spain.
The effects of the extreme weather, with temperatures hotter than parts of east and west Africa, have been made worse by buildings and infrastructure not designed to cope with such heat.
AFP estimates based on analysis of forecasts from the German weather service and 2025 population projections from Europe's Joint Research Centre suggest maximum temperatures will surpass 30C for over 350 million people — more than two-thirds of the continent's population.
The heatwave is particularly intense in France, where temperatures are expected to reach 40C in some regions. This has prompted concerns about heat-related illnesses and power outages.
Spain is also bracing for the worst of the heatwave, with temperatures expected to soar above 45C in some areas. The country's National Meteorological Agency has issued a heatwave warning, advising citizens to stay indoors and take precautions.
While the European Union has issued a statement urging member states to take measures to mitigate the effects of the heatwave, some have questioned whether enough is being done to protect vulnerable populations.
Climate experts point out that this heatwave is not an isolated incident, but rather a symptom of a broader trend. 'Climate change is not just about rising temperatures, but also about increased frequency and severity of extreme weather events,' said Dr. Maria Rodriguez, a climate scientist at the University of Barcelona. 'This heatwave is a wake-up call for Europeans to take action and adapt to the new reality of climate change.' Dr. Rodriguez added that the EU must prioritize climate resilience and develop strategies to mitigate the effects of such extreme weather events.
In response to the crisis, French President Emmanuel Macron has announced emergency measures to address the heatwave. These include deploying additional resources to hospitals, ensuring that vulnerable populations have access to cooling centers, and activating emergency services to respond to heat-related emergencies.
The Spanish government has also announced measures to mitigate the effects of the heatwave, including providing financial assistance to affected regions and activating emergency services to respond to heat-related emergencies.
The heatwave is expected to continue for the next few days, with temperatures expected to remain above 35C in many parts of Europe.
In the Philippines, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has warned of possible heat-related illnesses and called on citizens to take precautions.
In Manila, the capital city, residents have been advised to stay indoors and avoid outdoor activities during peak heat hours. The city government has also activated heatwave response teams to provide assistance to affected residents.