A series of satellite images have revealed how Europe dried up over the months of July and August as "the worst drought in 500 years" hit the continent. In a video posted on Twitter by the Copernicus Program of the European Union, which runs the constellation of Earth-observing Sentinel satellites, large areas of Europe can be seen changing from a lush green to a dry brown between July 1 and August 31.

Watch | Satellite images show how the historic drought turned lush Europe brown

2022 was a record year for wildfires in southwestern Europe. The year is also the fourth-highest in terms of wildfire carbon output globally. Scientists have warned that heatwaves like the recent hot and dry stretch over Western Europe are becoming much more common as a result of man-made climate change.

Climate change in 2022 brings unprecedented fire activity in SW Europe, record wildfire carbon output globally

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Watch | Satellite images show how the historic drought turned lush Europe brown

Climate change in 2022 brings unprecedented fire activity in SW Europe, record wildfire carbon output globally