‘Whole range of factors: environmental, human and societal, contributing to worsening of disasters’

Western Europe sweltered through its hottest June on record, as extreme temperatures blasted the region in punishing back-to-back heatwaves. Dangerous temperatures stretched into July, with separate research estimating that climate change made the heat up to 4C hotter, pushing the thermometer into deadly territory for thousands of vulnerable people and greatly worsening the projected death toll. Millions of people were exposed to daily average temperatures rarely seen before in early summer. Scientists say human-induced climate change is increasing the intensity, length and frequency of extreme heat that fuels forest fires in Europe and across the globe. For in-depth analysis and a deeper perspective, FRANCE 24’s François Picard welcomes Richard Assheton, Journalist based in Marseille and Brian Sandberg, Climate Scientist Historian.