Mongabay · Climate & nature

EU Proposes New Firefighting Fleet After Deadly Heat Wave

The European Union is planning to develop a new firefighting fleet and a European Heatwave Plan in response to a severe summer heat wave that caused widespread drought and an increase in deaths.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced the proposals, stating that the recent heat wave, which affected nearly all of the continent, highlighted the need for new tools to address worsening climate conditions. The EU currently coordinates a network of firefighting resources but plans to enhance its capabilities.

The extreme heat led to significant impacts, including the drying up of major rivers, over 35,000 additional deaths attributed to heat waves, and overheating in care homes and hospitals. Fires forced evacuations in France and Spain, disrupted nuclear power operations, and revealed submerged historical artifacts.

A study by the World Weather Attribution group concluded that climate change was a significant factor in the record-breaking summer heat and humidity. Von der Leyen emphasized that Europe is warming at twice the global rate and that current conditions are likely to be cooler than future summers.

Von der Leyen has tasked emergency responders and senior firefighters with developing new capabilities to combat climate instability. She also paid tribute to a Danish helicopter pilot who died fighting fires in Greece, acknowledging his sacrifice.

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