The European Environment Agency (EEA) has warned of possible "catastrophic" environmental scenarios if Europe fails to address its critical climate risks.
Extreme heat, droughts, wildfires and floods already experienced in Europe will likely escalate, according to the London-based agency's first report assessing the continent's climate risks. Living conditions across Europe will also be severely impacted, it predicted.
"These incidents are the new norm," stressed EEA Director Leena Ylä-Mononen at a press conference. "They also need to act as a wake-up call."
The research outlines 36 significant climate hazards for Europe, 21 of which require immediate action while eight call for urgent response. Ecosystem-related hazards, primarily marine and coastal, ranked the highest.
For instance, the combined effects of marine heatwaves, acidification, oxygen depletion in seas, and other human-induced factors such as pollution and overfishing threaten marine ecosystems' function, the report highlighted. This may result in substantial biodiversity loss, including mass mortality, it added.
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The EEA emphasised that a consistent recognition and acceptance of the risks and willingness to take swifter action among European governments and populations must be a priority.
"We need to do more and enforce stronger policies," Ylä-Mononen insisted. However, she also acknowledged the "considerable progress" made in understanding and preparing for climate risks.
According to the EEA, the areas at most risk include southern Europe (due to fires, water shortages, effects on agricultural production and the impact of heat on outdoor work and health) and low-altitude coastal areas (due to floods, erosion and saltwater intrusion).
Northern Europe is not exempt from the threats, the agency stressed, citing recent flooding in Germany and forest fires in Sweden.
