Climate change mitigation is no longer enough: Europeans need protection

Amid the unrelenting onslaught of extreme weather events, mitigating climate change is no longer sufficient – although it is crucial. We must also learn to live with the consequences, which are happening here and now and which affect the most vulnerable European citizens and regions the most. 

Recent findings from the European Environment Agency show that Europe is the fastest warming continent on the planet. Climate risks affect everything from energy and food security to ecosystems, infrastructure and public health. In the European Union alone, floods, devastating fires, heatwaves and prolonged droughts have already caused staggering economic losses exceeding 650 billion euros since 1980 and claimed 195,000 lives. According to the same agency, approximately EUR 520 billion is needed annually to achieve the goal of climate neutrality by 2050 and to implement the Green Deal. (Hang on socialistsanddemocrats.eu)