Politicians throughout Europe are perspiring as their populations face a heatwave. Five countries in the continent are facing severely high temperatures. An urgent cabinet meeting was convened in the United Kingdom to handle the country’s first-ever ‘extreme red’ warning. A lawmaker in France called the oppressive heat ‘hell.’ The Portuguese prime minister is keeping an eye on threatening woodland fires. Similarly, Southern Europe is already battling the consequences of more scorching summer heat, which scientists say is a result of climate change. The temperatures in Western Europe are expected to reach more than 40 degrees Celsius next week, reported Politico.

The five countries in Europe feeling the effects of the heat are Spain, the UK, France, Italy and Portugal.&nbsp;

Also read |<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/danger-to-life-rare-extreme-heat-issued-in-uk-as-temperatures-soar-496504">&nbsp;'Danger to life': Rare 'extreme heat' issued in UK as temperatures soar</a>

Starting with Spain, the country witnessed its worst fir ever recorded in its history has burned over almost half of the Sierra de la Culbera’s forested region with some portions near Figueruela de Arriba still on fire. A wildfire in Sierra de Mijas, forced nearly 2,300 people to abandon their homes. The country is a well-known tourist area. Spain’s reservoirs were at 44.4 per cent due to the heat and lack of rainfall.&nbsp;

The British government experts have issued a warning that Monday and Tuesday (July 18 &amp; 19) will be the hottest days in the country’s history. The weather department issued the first-ever red alert for exceptionally high temperatures, warning that everyone not only the ones weak, could get ill and even die.

Watch |&nbsp;Spain swelters under a heat wave; Second heat wave in less than a month

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As fires flare in the Gironde department, more than 10,000 people in France have been evacuated from the southwest of the nation. Three significant fires are still active and more than 5,000 hectares of land have been burned, as per the local media.

After months of little to no significant rainfall, the Po River, the longest in Italy, has reached record low water levels. The essential water source stretches from the Alps to the Adriatic Sea which is used for drinking, irrigation, and hydroelectric generation. A fine of up to €500 may be imposed on anyone found utilising water for the water of public or private gardens, washing of courtyards, or car washing.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-heat-wave-know-about-heat-wave-in-texas-and-other-areas-when-will-this-end-496396">US heatwave: Know about heatwave in Texas and other areas. When will this end?</a>

Since last week, there have been numerous fires and the majority of them were in northeast Porto. The temperature in Lous, in middle Portugal, reached a record of 46.3 per cent.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

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Politicians throughout Europe are perspiring as their populations face a heatwave. Five countries in the continent are facing severely high temperatures. An urgent cabinet meeting was convened in the United Kingdom to handle the country’s first-ever ‘extreme red’ warning.

Politicians throughout Europe are perspiring as their populations face a heatwave. Five countries in the continent are facing severely high temperatures. An urgent cabinet meeting was convened in the United Kingdom to handle the country’s first-ever ‘extreme red’ warning. A lawmaker in France called the oppressive heat ‘hell.’ The Portuguese prime minister is keeping an eye on threatening woodland fires. Similarly, Southern Europe is already battling the consequences of more scorching summer heat, which scientists say is a result of climate change. The temperatures in Western Europe are expected to reach more than 40 degrees Celsius next week, reported Politico. The five countries in Europe feeling the effects of the heat are Spain, the UK, France, Italy and Portugal. Also read | 'Danger to life': Rare 'extreme heat' issued in UK as temperatures soar Starting with Spain, the country witnessed its worst fir ever recorded in its history has burned over almost half of the Sierra de la Culbera’s forested region with some portions near Figueruela de Arriba still on fire. A wildfire in Sierra de Mijas, forced nearly 2,300 people to abandon their homes. The country is a well-known tourist area. Spain’s reservoirs were at 44.4 per cent due to the heat and lack of rainfall. The British government experts have issued a warning that Monday and Tuesday (July 18 & 19) will be the hottest days in the country’s history. The weather department issued the first-ever red alert for exceptionally high temperatures, warning that everyone not only the ones weak, could get ill and even die. Watch | Spain swelters under a heat wave; Second heat wave in less than a month As fires flare in the Gironde department, more than 10,000 people in France have been evacuated from the southwest of the nation. Three significant fires are still active and more than 5,000 hectares of land have been burned, as per the local media. After months of little to no significant rainfall, the Po River, the longest in Italy, has reached record low water levels. The essential water source stretches from the Alps to the Adriatic Sea which is used for drinking, irrigation, and hydroelectric generation. A fine of up to €500 may be imposed on anyone found utilising water for the water of public or private gardens, washing of courtyards, or car washing. Also read | US heatwave: Know about heatwave in Texas and other areas. When will this end? Since last week, there have been numerous fires and the majority of them were in northeast Porto. The temperature in Lous, in middle Portugal, reached a record of 46.3 per cent. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

5 major countries dealing with ‘hell’ in Europe's heat

Europe is reeling under an intense heat wave and wildfires sweeping across western Europe. Several areas in France are under orange alert and thousands have been evacuated due to wildfires.

WION Climate Tracker| Blazes in Portugal & France: Extreme heat wave causes 360 deaths in Spain

Europe is reeling under a heat wave and it's not a usual heat wave. Heat waves are expected to get worse in future. UK might experience its hottest day of 2022 this week.

WION Climate Tracker: Most parts of Europe swelter under a heat wave

Wildfires from Spain spread into neighbouring Portugal and more than 17,297 acres of land has been destroyed in France due to wildfires. Emmanuel Macron reviewed wildfire mitigation efforts in France.

Wildfires rage across Europe: Thousands evacuated due to wildfires

WION Climate Tracker: Emmanuel Macron reviews wildfire mitigation efforts in France

Russian gas giant Gazprom begins 10 days of routine maintenance on its Nord Stream 1 pipeline with Germany and other European countries watching anxiously to see if the gas comes back on. In this episode of The Full Context, WION explains Europe's energy crisis.

The Full Context: Could Europe's energy crisis lead to winter of unrest?

This year has been exceptionally brutal for Europe. A continent that mostly remains cool is now witnessing record-breaking heat. High temperatures are also expected to spread to western and central Europe in the coming days.

WION Climate Tracker: Europe is heating up faster than others | EU nations delay climate actions

Most of the Eastern hemisphere is sweltering under heatwave and tinder-dry forests are burning across western European Nations. For more perspective on this, we're joined by Lluís Torrent, International consultant on climate change.

WION Climate Tracker: Extreme heat fuels blazes across Europe

Hungary has declared an 'energy emergency' amid falling Russian shipments. Gazprom is hinting at an extended delay in resuming the Nord Stream gas supply. How can Europe ensure energy security for the upcoming winter? Palki Sharma tells you.

Gravitas: Hungary declares energy emergency

Heatwaves and wildfires continue to batter Europe as an increase in climate alarm rings across the globe. Watch this report from Spain as temperatures cross 40 degrees across several regions.

Western Europe sweltering in extreme heat, citizens put on high alert

The war in Ukraine has had an impact on several countries around the world. From growing food crisis to energy concerns, various nations are combating issues as a result of the months-long conflict.

Europe energy crisis: Hungary declares 'state of danger'

Intel reports indicate that the Islamic State tried to develop chemical weapons to strike targets in western Europe. How close did ISIS get to developing these weapons? How can we avoid a repeat? Palki Sharma tells you.

Gravitas: ISIS planned chemical weapon attack on Europe

The Nord stream pipeline is shut and it has brought Europe to the edge. It is the biggest single pipeline carrying Russian gas to Germany. The pipeline is shut for 10 days but now Europe is worried whether or not its functioning will resume.

Moscow temporarily shuts down Nord stream for maintenance, Europe jittery

The Western Europe in particular is currently battling a dangerous heat wave. Large parts of the Iberian Peninsula have seen temperatures surpassing 40 degrees Celsius and the temperatures are expected to spread to other parts of the continent in the coming days as well.

WION Climate Tracker | Dangerous heat wave threatens millions in Europe

Europe is on the edge after the Russian Nord Stream gas link was shutdown. President Vladmir Putin is making fresh moves. He will travel to Iran next week. Palki Sharma tells you what to expect.

Gravitas: Ukraine war: Putin renews old friendships

Europe is reeling under a heat wave and it's not a usual heat wave. The soaring temperatures are making people sick and affecting day-to-day lives. So, what exactly has changed this year and why is it so hot in Europe?

WION Climate Tracker | Most parts of Europe swelter under heat wave

Recession fears gripped Germany after Russia shut its Nord Stream 1 pipeline for temporary maintenance work. Berlin fears the shutdown could be extended to weaponise Russia's gas supply. Palki Sharma tells you how Europe is planning to respond.

Gravitas: Recession fears as Putin cuts Europe's gas supply

The Nord Stream 1, a major gas pipeline from Russia to Germany, shut down for annual maintenance on Monday, as Berlin grew concerned that Moscow may not resume the flow of gas as scheduled. Molly Gambhir tells you why Europe is jittery after the pipeline shutdown.

WION Fineprint | Nord Stream Shutdown: Is Russia cutting off Europe's gas supply?

A new report shows that there has been a steady increase in police officers sharing racist and far-right content online all over Europe. According to the report by the Institute of Race Relations (IRR), the police forces are suffering from a growing “culture of extremism” and the two most affected countries were the United Kingdom and France. While the right-wing support is quite common in police forces around these two countries, the report also pointed out that Belgium, Germany and Hungary have recently seen high-ranking police officials join extreme-right wing political parties.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/india-projected-to-surpass-china-as-worlds-most-populous-country-in-2023-says-un-report-496295" hreflang="en">India projected to surpass China as world's most populous country in 2023, says UN report</a>

The UK police has faced a lot of criticism for being “institutionally racist” after officers were found to be sharing images on WhatsApp of two murdered black sisters. In another case, the investigation found that officers joked about rape, killing black children and beating their wives.

&nbsp;“Our conclusion that the dehumanising mindset and overall sense of impunity and entitlement displayed in police WhatsApp groups is a symptom, not a cause, of authoritarian trends in policing, will no doubt make for uncomfortable reading,” Liz Fekete, director of IRR, said.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/protesters-celebrate-in-sri-lankas-ransacked-president-palace-take-a-look-496286" hreflang="en">Protesters celebrate in Sri Lanka's ransacked presidential palace. Take a look!</a>

&nbsp;“Racism has become entrenched in policing as the rank and file are resituating themselves as society’s victims and organising on an ever more extremist agenda,” she added.

In the aftermath of the George Floyd and Black Live Matter protests in the United States, the “thin blue line” avatar and hashtag became popular in Twitter among police officers. However, in the UK, Fekete warned that it has become a “besieged and misunderstood minority group”.

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A new report shows that there has been a steady increase in police officers sharing racist and far-right content online all over Europe. According to the report by the Institute of Race Relations (IRR), the police forces are suffering from a growing “culture of extremism” and the two most affected countries were the United Kingdom and France.

A new report shows that there has been a steady increase in police officers sharing racist and far-right content online all over Europe. According to the report by the Institute of Race Relations (IRR), the police forces are suffering from a growing “culture of extremism” and the two most affected countries were the United Kingdom and France. While the right-wing support is quite common in police forces around these two countries, the report also pointed out that Belgium, Germany and Hungary have recently seen high-ranking police officials join extreme-right wing political parties. Also read | India projected to surpass China as world's most populous country in 2023, says UN report The UK police has faced a lot of criticism for being “institutionally racist” after officers were found to be sharing images on WhatsApp of two murdered black sisters. In another case, the investigation found that officers joked about rape, killing black children and beating their wives. “Our conclusion that the dehumanising mindset and overall sense of impunity and entitlement displayed in police WhatsApp groups is a symptom, not a cause, of authoritarian trends in policing, will no doubt make for uncomfortable reading,” Liz Fekete, director of IRR, said. Also read | Protesters celebrate in Sri Lanka's ransacked presidential palace. Take a look! “Racism has become entrenched in policing as the rank and file are resituating themselves as society’s victims and organising on an ever more extremist agenda,” she added. In the aftermath of the George Floyd and Black Live Matter protests in the United States, the “thin blue line” avatar and hashtag became popular in Twitter among police officers. However, in the UK, Fekete warned that it has become a “besieged and misunderstood minority group”. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Growing ‘culture of extremism’ in police forces around Europe, says report

In response to a recent increase in infections and hospitalisations across Europe, the European Union health agencies on Monday (July 11), advised a second COVID-19 booster for everyone over 60 as well as medically fragile individuals. Despite the fact that the virus has changed, existing coronavirus vaccinations still offer substantial protection against hospitalisation and death. Since April, the most vulnerable and elderly people have only been advised to receive a second booster. The new advice is anticipated to make it easier for governments to speed up the vaccination programmes, Reuters reported.

In a statement, Andrea Ammon, director of the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), said, "We are currently seeing increasing COVID-19 case notification rates and an increasing trend in hospital and ICU admissions and occupancy in several countries, mainly driven by the BA 5 sub lineage of the Omicron (coronavirus variant)." She said that providing the elderly and medically fragile a second boost now will prevent a sizable number of hospitalisation and deaths.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/covid-19-travellers-warned-of-rising-virus-cases-in-europe-495211">COVID-19: Travellers warned of rising virus cases in Europe</a>

In order to tackle the BA.1 Omicron variant, vaccine manufacturers including Moderna Inc. and partners Pfizer Inc. and BioTech have been testing modified versions of their coronavirus vaccines. They observed a reduced immune response against BA.4 and BA.5, despite the fact that they claimed these vaccinations produced a good immune response against the variants.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/who-calls-for-urgent-action-in-europe-to-contain-monkeypox-spread-493613">WHO calls for 'urgent' action in Europe to contain monkeypox spread</a>

The ECDC on Monday further said that currently there is no convincing evidence to recommend the administration of a second booster dosage to people younger than 60 years of age who are not at increased risk of severe infection.

(With inputs from agencies)

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In response to a recent increase in infections and hospitalisations across Europe, the European Union health agencies on Monday (July 11), advised a second COVID-19 booster for everyone over 60 as well as medically fragile individuals.

In response to a recent increase in infections and hospitalisations across Europe, the European Union health agencies on Monday (July 11), advised a second COVID-19 booster for everyone over 60 as well as medically fragile individuals. Despite the fact that the virus has changed, existing coronavirus vaccinations still offer substantial protection against hospitalisation and death. Since April, the most vulnerable and elderly people have only been advised to receive a second booster. The new advice is anticipated to make it easier for governments to speed up the vaccination programmes, Reuters reported. In a statement, Andrea Ammon, director of the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), said, "We are currently seeing increasing COVID-19 case notification rates and an increasing trend in hospital and ICU admissions and occupancy in several countries, mainly driven by the BA 5 sub lineage of the Omicron (coronavirus variant)." She said that providing the elderly and medically fragile a second boost now will prevent a sizable number of hospitalisation and deaths. Also read | COVID-19: Travellers warned of rising virus cases in Europe In order to tackle the BA.1 Omicron variant, vaccine manufacturers including Moderna Inc. and partners Pfizer Inc. and BioTech have been testing modified versions of their coronavirus vaccines. They observed a reduced immune response against BA.4 and BA.5, despite the fact that they claimed these vaccinations produced a good immune response against the variants. Also read | WHO calls for 'urgent' action in Europe to contain monkeypox spread The ECDC on Monday further said that currently there is no convincing evidence to recommend the administration of a second booster dosage to people younger than 60 years of age who are not at increased risk of severe infection. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

COVID-19: European Union advises second booster for people above 60 years

The ongoing war in Ukraine has triggered an energy crisis across Europe. Many European countries are now ramping up measures to try and find an alternate source of energy supply against the Russian gas as the supply crunch continues to haunt Europe. Russia has now said that it will temporarily close the North Stream one pipeline for its annual maintenance work.

Europe's energy woes worsen: Russia to shut down Nord Stream 1 pipeline

Archaeologists in Spain said on Friday they had found an ancient jawbone which could help them look into the face of some of the earliest human ancestors in Europe. The surprise find, which could be about 1.4 million years old, could also give vital clues to the evolution of the human face over the millennia, the team from the Atapuerca Foundation said, as reported by Reuters.

"The first week of July 2022 will enter the history of human evolution," the team added in a statement.

The fossilised fragment of an upper jaw and cheekbone was found near caves in the Atapuerca Mountains in northern Spain's Burgos province, the site of other ancient remains. The scientists said they were still working on identifying the specific kind of human ancestor and determining the bone's age.

José María Bermúdez de Castro, one of the team's coordinators, said, "What we can say is that we have found a fossil that's very important and interesting that belongs to one of the first populations that arrived in Europe, maybe later we will find older ones, but at this moment it is a sample of a representative of one of the oldest populations that colonised the European continent."

"We have to continue our research for about at least a year, it's a long time, and this is logical because this takes lots of time, and we will be able to tell whether we are before a representative of homo antecessor, or homo erectus, or something else that we do not know," Maria added.

(with inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

Archaeologists in Spain said on Friday they had found an ancient jawbone which could help them look into the face of some of the earliest human ancestors in Europe.

Archaeologists in Spain said on Friday they had found an ancient jawbone which could help them look into the face of some of the earliest human ancestors in Europe. The surprise find, which could be about 1.4 million years old, could also give vital clues to the evolution of the human face over the millennia, the team from the Atapuerca Foundation said, as reported by Reuters. "The first week of July 2022 will enter the history of human evolution," the team added in a statement. The fossilised fragment of an upper jaw and cheekbone was found near caves in the Atapuerca Mountains in northern Spain's Burgos province, the site of other ancient remains. The scientists said they were still working on identifying the specific kind of human ancestor and determining the bone's age. José María Bermúdez de Castro, one of the team's coordinators, said, "What we can say is that we have found a fossil that's very important and interesting that belongs to one of the first populations that arrived in Europe, maybe later we will find older ones, but at this moment it is a sample of a representative of one of the oldest populations that colonised the European continent." "We have to continue our research for about at least a year, it's a long time, and this is logical because this takes lots of time, and we will be able to tell whether we are before a representative of homo antecessor, or homo erectus, or something else that we do not know," Maria added. (with inputs from agencies)

Oldest human fossil found, could hold clues about Europe's earliest human ancestors

The airline staff crisis in Europe has worsened with continued disruptions leading to chaos at various airports across the continent. In the latest the British airways has now cut nearly about 13 of its summer schedule till October.

British Airways offers rebooking and refund options | Thousands hit by flight disruptions

Tourists travelling to and from the European continent are advised to take precautions against COVID-19 because cases are on the rise, especially in the popular destination areas. Health officials have warned travellers to take personal accountability and are advocating for the quick reinstatement of the restrictions in some situations. Countries like Greece, Spain, France, and Germany have been reporting an increase in cases. Medical professionals have advised people to receive the full vaccinations- with a double dose and either one or two booster shots, depending on the age factor and health risks before travelling, reported The Guardian.

Greece is one of the nations that has noted an increase in the instances reported recently. As per the health officials, cases are currently concentrated in major tourist areas, with instances primarily affecting people between the age group of 18 and 24. However, wearing a mask is still required in public indoors, such as hospitals and on public transport.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/covid-19-us-researchers-develop-inhalable-vaccine-stable-at-room-temperature-494947">COVID-19: US researchers develop inhalable vaccine stable at room temperature</a>

In Spain, cases have increased by more than 60 per cent. Medical professionals have stated the current level as "alarming" and the local media is reporting that after years of pandemic restrictions and probable conditions for the spread of the highly contagious Omicron variant BA.5, which is assisting in the mergence of a new wave.

Watch |&nbsp;COVID-19 technology used to treat cancer patients

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However, travellers from Germany and Austria are recommended to get covid travel cancellation insurance if they are worried that illness or virus-related cancellations would cause their vacations to be cut short.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/parts-of-europe-are-now-drier-than-they-have-been-in-thousand-years-study-494782">Parts of Europe are now drier than they have been in thousand years: Study</a>

Christian Drosten, a virologist who has been a leading voice in educating Germans about the virus, issued a warning against the advice that was being disseminated on social media, encouraging people to get in touch with the virus in the summer in order to develop an immunity to it in the colder winter months.

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(With inputs from agencies)

Tourists travelling to and from the European continent are advised to take precautions against COVID-19 because cases are on the rise, especially in the popular destination areas.

Tourists travelling to and from the European continent are advised to take precautions against COVID-19 because cases are on the rise, especially in the popular destination areas. Health officials have warned travellers to take personal accountability and are advocating for the quick reinstatement of the restrictions in some situations. Countries like Greece, Spain, France, and Germany have been reporting an increase in cases. Medical professionals have advised people to receive the full vaccinations- with a double dose and either one or two booster shots, depending on the age factor and health risks before travelling, reported The Guardian. Greece is one of the nations that has noted an increase in the instances reported recently. As per the health officials, cases are currently concentrated in major tourist areas, with instances primarily affecting people between the age group of 18 and 24. However, wearing a mask is still required in public indoors, such as hospitals and on public transport. Also read | COVID-19: US researchers develop inhalable vaccine stable at room temperature In Spain, cases have increased by more than 60 per cent. Medical professionals have stated the current level as "alarming" and the local media is reporting that after years of pandemic restrictions and probable conditions for the spread of the highly contagious Omicron variant BA.5, which is assisting in the mergence of a new wave. Watch | COVID-19 technology used to treat cancer patients However, travellers from Germany and Austria are recommended to get covid travel cancellation insurance if they are worried that illness or virus-related cancellations would cause their vacations to be cut short. Also read | Parts of Europe are now drier than they have been in thousand years: Study Christian Drosten, a virologist who has been a leading voice in educating Germans about the virus, issued a warning against the advice that was being disseminated on social media, encouraging people to get in touch with the virus in the summer in order to develop an immunity to it in the colder winter months. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. (With inputs from agencies)

COVID-19: Travellers warned of rising virus cases in Europe

In a landmark vote for Europe’s climate and energy policies, the European Parliament on Wednesday endorsed labeling some gas and nuclear energy projects as “green,” allowing them access to hundreds of billions of euros in cheap loans and even state subsidies.

The decision placed the European Union’s heavy thumb on the scale of a global debate about how and how quickly major industrialized economies can move from their heavy reliance on fossil fuels — and it immediately proved controversial, prompting boos from opponents inside and outside the parliamentary building in Strasbourg, France.

Critics said it would lock in and prolong Europe’s reliance on fossil fuels, while the measure’s proponents, including in the European Commission, the EU executive arm that drafted it, said it was part of a pragmatic approach to the transition to renewable energy, especially as Europe seeks to wean itself off Russian fuel imports in the wake of the invasion of Ukraine.

The measure had been in the works even before Russia’s tanks crossed the border, but it gained urgency as the European Union responded to the invasion by banning Russian energy sources, including most coal and oil. Left untouched has been Russian gas, on which Europe remains heavily dependent.

The Russian invasion presented European countries with an urgent choice: to get gas from anywhere other than Russia, or double down on renewable sources like wind and solar.

Wednesday’s vote signaled Europe’s intention to prolong its reliance on gas — the principal component of which is methane, which speeds up global warming.

The choice could undermine a competing European imperative to cut its greenhouse gas emissions by more than half by 2030. E3G, an energy research group, said it was “at odds with the overall direction the EU is taking.”

The amendment the Parliament backed Wednesday was part of a broader EU effort to give banks and other organizations tools to evaluate which projects deserve loans and funds on the basis of being environmentally friendly.

WATCH |&nbsp;What is greenwashing, the practice major companies are accused of engaging in?&nbsp;

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The policy, known as the “taxonomy,” is meant to stop “greenwashing,” the pervasive practice of mislabeling energy projects as environmentally friendly, and it could determine where hundreds of billions of dollars in investments will flow in coming decades.

But critics of the proposal contend the classifying gas and nuclear projects as sustainable is in itself “greenwashing” and runs counter to European efforts to slash carbon emissions by 55% by 2030 and to reach carbon neutrality by 2050, while also increasing the risks of nuclear accidents.

Greta Thunberg, the Swedish climate activist, called Wednesday’s decision hypocrisy.

“This will delay a desperately needed real sustainable transition and deepen our dependency on Russian fuels. The hypocrisy is striking, but unfortunately not surprising,” she wrote on Twitter after the vote.

The classification of gas and nuclear power as “green” was contentious even beyond environmental circles, with its opponents in the European Parliament spread across the political spectrum, including from the right.

“Billions of euros in ‘green’ financing now risk being diverted into polluting energy sources that are far from being harmless and temporary, at the expense of energy efficiency and renewables,” the European Environmental Bureau, a Pan-European environmental lobby group, said in a statement shortly after the vote, calling it an “act of institutional greenwashing.”

But the measure eventually succeeded with strong backing from Germany and France, Europe’s two leading economies, and it will help both of them sustain their energy policies and industries.

In the aftermath of the 2011 Fukushima nuclear catastrophe in Japan, Germany moved away from nuclear energy entirely, pledging to shift to renewable energy sources. But it has remained hugely reliant on Russian gas as a “bridge” and fallen back on the use of coal especially during shortfalls.

France, by contrast, gets 70% of its energy from aging nuclear plants, which have been plagued by problems and shutdowns in recent years. It recently announced a blueprint budgeted at 51.7 billion euros — more than $53 billion — to build up to 14 next-generation reactors by 2035.

While nuclear energy generation does not directly produce carbon emissions, the specter of nuclear accidents has left many wary of it on a continent still traumatized by the Chernobyl meltdown in 1986.

The European Commission has said that it knows that gas and nuclear are not perfectly aligned with environmental goals and carry risks, but that it still considers them important in Europe’s transition from its current energy mix toward a carbon-neutral future that will be mostly built around renewables. It calls gas a “low emission” fuel, which is only accurate when compared to coal, which is very polluting, but not compared to wind and solar.

“This vote is important recognition of our pragmatic and realistic approach in helping many member states on their transition path towards climate neutrality,” the commission said in a statement shortly after the vote.

“Climate neutrality is our objective and legal obligation. We are committed to using all available tools to move away from high carbon-emitting energy sources,” it added.

These goals, and the means to achieve them over the next few decades, are key to Europe’s efforts to lead the world on climate policy. But Europe’s decision to classify gas and nuclear energy as “green” is now likely to reverberate widely and could also undercut European efforts to coax other countries, like China, to rein in their own emissions, analysts said.

The new classification for gas is likely to make it far harder to meet a climate goal championed at the last international climate negotiations: cutting methane.

Methane is more potent in its ability to warm the planet than carbon dioxide emissions, although it breaks down in the atmosphere sooner. Over 20 years, it can create 80 times as much warming as the same amount of carbon dioxide.

In short, cutting methane emissions would slow down warming more quickly, which is the argument that the European Union itself used when it joined the United States in November in announcing a global pledge to reduce methane emissions by 30% by 2030.

Prominent nongovernmental organizations including WWF and Greenpeace said they planned to litigate against the EU labeling of gas and nuclear, and European lawmakers are also expected to sue the European Commission over its handling of the policy.

But apart from a divergence from its environmental goals, the step Wednesday also constitutes a strategic error in dealing with Russia, other critics said.

So far EU nations have banned Russian coal and most will phase out even the import of Russian oil in response to the Ukraine invasion, but they remain especially dependent on Russian gas for electricity and heating.

Russia has used its gas exports to Europe as a lever to exert pressure on the European Union. The bloc is trying to get gas from other sources, such as Africa, the Middle East and the United States, but is far from banning the Russian imports because it needs them too much.

By doubling down on longer-term gas investments, the European Union practically locks in higher global demand for the fuel longer term, even if it doesn’t buy it from Russia itself. That will mean that Russia can continue selling its gas to other countries at high prices, perpetuating a vital revenue stream.

Some Ukrainian experts and lawmakers decried the decision.

“Vladimir Putin is rubbing his hands with glee today,” Inna Sovsun, a Ukrainian deputy, said in emailed comments. “Europe just handed him a huge present by classifying gas and nuclear as sustainable. A gift that will channel billions into his pockets and further boost his war chest.”

In a landmark vote for Europe’s climate and energy policies, the European Parliament on Wednesday endorsed labeling some gas and nuclear energy projects as “green,” allowing them access to hundreds of billions of euros in cheap loans and even state subsidies.

In a landmark vote for Europe’s climate and energy policies, the European Parliament on Wednesday endorsed labeling some gas and nuclear energy projects as “green,” allowing them access to hundreds of billions of euros in cheap loans and even state subsidies. The decision placed the European Union’s heavy thumb on the scale of a global debate about how and how quickly major industrialized economies can move from their heavy reliance on fossil fuels — and it immediately proved controversial, prompting boos from opponents inside and outside the parliamentary building in Strasbourg, France. Critics said it would lock in and prolong Europe’s reliance on fossil fuels, while the measure’s proponents, including in the European Commission, the EU executive arm that drafted it, said it was part of a pragmatic approach to the transition to renewable energy, especially as Europe seeks to wean itself off Russian fuel imports in the wake of the invasion of Ukraine. The measure had been in the works even before Russia’s tanks crossed the border, but it gained urgency as the European Union responded to the invasion by banning Russian energy sources, including most coal and oil. Left untouched has been Russian gas, on which Europe remains heavily dependent. The Russian invasion presented European countries with an urgent choice: to get gas from anywhere other than Russia, or double down on renewable sources like wind and solar. Wednesday’s vote signaled Europe’s intention to prolong its reliance on gas — the principal component of which is methane, which speeds up global warming. The choice could undermine a competing European imperative to cut its greenhouse gas emissions by more than half by 2030. E3G, an energy research group, said it was “at odds with the overall direction the EU is taking.” The amendment the Parliament backed Wednesday was part of a broader EU effort to give banks and other organizations tools to evaluate which projects deserve loans and funds on the basis of being environmentally friendly. WATCH | What is greenwashing, the practice major companies are accused of engaging in? × The policy, known as the “taxonomy,” is meant to stop “greenwashing,” the pervasive practice of mislabeling energy projects as environmentally friendly, and it could determine where hundreds of billions of dollars in investments will flow in coming decades. But critics of the proposal contend the classifying gas and nuclear projects as sustainable is in itself “greenwashing” and runs counter to European efforts to slash carbon emissions by 55% by 2030 and to reach carbon neutrality by 2050, while also increasing the risks of nuclear accidents. Greta Thunberg, the Swedish climate activist, called Wednesday’s decision hypocrisy. “This will delay a desperately needed real sustainable transition and deepen our dependency on Russian fuels. The hypocrisy is striking, but unfortunately not surprising,” she wrote on Twitter after the vote. The classification of gas and nuclear power as “green” was contentious even beyond environmental circles, with its opponents in the European Parliament spread across the political spectrum, including from the right. “Billions of euros in ‘green’ financing now risk being diverted into polluting energy sources that are far from being harmless and temporary, at the expense of energy efficiency and renewables,” the European Environmental Bureau, a Pan-European environmental lobby group, said in a statement shortly after the vote, calling it an “act of institutional greenwashing.” But the measure eventually succeeded with strong backing from Germany and France, Europe’s two leading economies, and it will help both of them sustain their energy policies and industries. In the aftermath of the 2011 Fukushima nuclear catastrophe in Japan, Germany moved away from nuclear energy entirely, pledging to shift to renewable energy sources. But it has remained hugely reliant on Russian gas as a “bridge” and fallen back on the use of coal especially during shortfalls. France, by contrast, gets 70% of its energy from aging nuclear plants, which have been plagued by problems and shutdowns in recent years. It recently announced a blueprint budgeted at 51.7 billion euros — more than $53 billion — to build up to 14 next-generation reactors by 2035. While nuclear energy generation does not directly produce carbon emissions, the specter of nuclear accidents has left many wary of it on a continent still traumatized by the Chernobyl meltdown in 1986. The European Commission has said that it knows that gas and nuclear are not perfectly aligned with environmental goals and carry risks, but that it still considers them important in Europe’s transition from its current energy mix toward a carbon-neutral future that will be mostly built around renewables. It calls gas a “low emission” fuel, which is only accurate when compared to coal, which is very polluting, but not compared to wind and solar. “This vote is important recognition of our pragmatic and realistic approach in helping many member states on their transition path towards climate neutrality,” the commission said in a statement shortly after the vote. “Climate neutrality is our objective and legal obligation. We are committed to using all available tools to move away from high carbon-emitting energy sources,” it added. These goals, and the means to achieve them over the next few decades, are key to Europe’s efforts to lead the world on climate policy. But Europe’s decision to classify gas and nuclear energy as “green” is now likely to reverberate widely and could also undercut European efforts to coax other countries, like China, to rein in their own emissions, analysts said. The new classification for gas is likely to make it far harder to meet a climate goal championed at the last international climate negotiations: cutting methane. Methane is more potent in its ability to warm the planet than carbon dioxide emissions, although it breaks down in the atmosphere sooner. Over 20 years, it can create 80 times as much warming as the same amount of carbon dioxide. In short, cutting methane emissions would slow down warming more quickly, which is the argument that the European Union itself used when it joined the United States in November in announcing a global pledge to reduce methane emissions by 30% by 2030. Prominent nongovernmental organizations including WWF and Greenpeace said they planned to litigate against the EU labeling of gas and nuclear, and European lawmakers are also expected to sue the European Commission over its handling of the policy. But apart from a divergence from its environmental goals, the step Wednesday also constitutes a strategic error in dealing with Russia, other critics said. So far EU nations have banned Russian coal and most will phase out even the import of Russian oil in response to the Ukraine invasion, but they remain especially dependent on Russian gas for electricity and heating. Russia has used its gas exports to Europe as a lever to exert pressure on the European Union. The bloc is trying to get gas from other sources, such as Africa, the Middle East and the United States, but is far from banning the Russian imports because it needs them too much. By doubling down on longer-term gas investments, the European Union practically locks in higher global demand for the fuel longer term, even if it doesn’t buy it from Russia itself. That will mean that Russia can continue selling its gas to other countries at high prices, perpetuating a vital revenue stream. Some Ukrainian experts and lawmakers decried the decision. “Vladimir Putin is rubbing his hands with glee today,” Inna Sovsun, a Ukrainian deputy, said in emailed comments. “Europe just handed him a huge present by classifying gas and nuclear as sustainable. A gift that will channel billions into his pockets and further boost his war chest.”

Europe calls gas and nuclear energy ‘Green’

Police across Europe have arrested abut 130 people suspected of involvement in human trafficking in a joint operation carried out by 22 countries.

Europe: Police arrest 130 suspected human traffickers in a massive joint operation

Climate change is affecting us all. There is an urgent need to address the issue facing humanity otherwise our very existence on the only planet we've got will be in jeopardy. In the latest sign that we are headed for a grim future, a study has found out that parts of Spain and Portugal are drier than they have been than in last 1200 years.&nbsp;

The drier climate has the potential to severely affect wine and Olive production in these two countries.

The Azores High is an area of high atmospheric pressure that moves clockwise over the Atlantic region. It is called "gatekeeper" for rainfall in Europe. The winter rain in Europe is caused by the Azores High. It sends westerly winds inwards into the continent and causes winter rain.

The study of this phenomenon was carried out by researchers in the United States and was published in journal Nature Geoscience.

The study has found that Azores High, the high-pressure system "has changed dramatically in the past century and that these changes in North Atlantic climate are unprecedented within the past millennium".

A climate model simulation was used in this study. The simulation had climate data of the last 1200 years fed to it. The simulation showed that high-pressure system began to grow in last 200 years as greenhouse gas emissions increased.

In 20th century, it expanded even more dramatically as climate change. The scientists have said that as Azores High expanded, western Meditarranean countries have become drier.&nbsp;

Authors of the study say that data trends point towards rainfall decreasing by as much as 10 to 20 per cent by the end of the century. This has the potential of making Iberian peninsula "some of the most vulnerable in Europe".

You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

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Climate change is affecting us all. There is an urgent need to address the issue facing humanity otherwise our very existence on the only planet we've got will be in jeopardy.

Climate change is affecting us all. There is an urgent need to address the issue facing humanity otherwise our very existence on the only planet we've got will be in jeopardy. In the latest sign that we are headed for a grim future, a study has found out that parts of Spain and Portugal are drier than they have been than in last 1200 years. The drier climate has the potential to severely affect wine and Olive production in these two countries. The Azores High is an area of high atmospheric pressure that moves clockwise over the Atlantic region. It is called "gatekeeper" for rainfall in Europe. The winter rain in Europe is caused by the Azores High. It sends westerly winds inwards into the continent and causes winter rain. The study of this phenomenon was carried out by researchers in the United States and was published in journal Nature Geoscience. The study has found that Azores High, the high-pressure system "has changed dramatically in the past century and that these changes in North Atlantic climate are unprecedented within the past millennium". A climate model simulation was used in this study. The simulation had climate data of the last 1200 years fed to it. The simulation showed that high-pressure system began to grow in last 200 years as greenhouse gas emissions increased. In 20th century, it expanded even more dramatically as climate change. The scientists have said that as Azores High expanded, western Meditarranean countries have become drier. Authors of the study say that data trends point towards rainfall decreasing by as much as 10 to 20 per cent by the end of the century. This has the potential of making Iberian peninsula "some of the most vulnerable in Europe". You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

Parts of Europe are now drier than they have been in thousand years: Study

Wage negotiations between Scandinavian airline SAS and its pilots collapsed on Monday, triggering a strike that threatens the carrier’s future and extreme heat across Europe.

Airline SAS says survival at stake as pilot strike grounds flights

Hotel chains are hiring employees regardless of work experience or even a resume as European hoteliers face a shortage of employees. Restaurants and bars are also facing lack of waiters and staff.

Restaurants face staff shortage across Europe | Hotels hire people without resumes

Travel disruptions continue in Europe with Paris airport workers staging a walkout. Airline workers are protesting over pay and layoffs.

Travel disruption in Europe continues as Paris airport workers stage a walkout

Eurozone inflation triggered by the ongoing gas crunch has hit a record high of 8.6%. Meanwhile, Moscow has seized control of the Sakhalin gas project.

Vladimir Putin signs a new decree as Russia takes over the Sakhalin gas project

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Western Europe sweltering in extreme heat, citizens put on high alert

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