The area of Europe affected by wildfires could triple as a result of climate change, new research suggests. Back-to-back heatwaves and an early drought have created tinderbox conditions in western Europe since early July, leading to severe wildfires across France, Greece, Spain and Belgium in particular. More than 20 people have been killed, including 14 in the Almeria wildfire […]
No rain, no hops – no hops, no beer. Climate change, heat and dry farmland are hitting Bavaria’s key crop. Could solar panels save it? A wave of farm closures is washing over Germany’s lush hop-growing regions as climate change, falling prices and declining demand for beer leave desolation in their wake. As of 2026, there are […]
Human activities produce 100 times the carbon dioxide of the planet’s volcanic eruptions, according to NASA. Europe’s most active volcano has been putting on a fiery show, and experts predict that this is just the beginning. Tourists have flocked en masse to see molten lava spewing out of Mount Etna, a stratovolcano located on the […]
A surge in solar power has helped meet heightened power demand from Europe’s blistering heatwaves, according to a new analysis. Solar has been doing the “heavy lifting” to help Europe meet its energy needs amid a string of blistering heatwaves. A new analysis from energy think-tank Ember found that solar output in European countries rose […]
As Europe braces for yet another heatwave this week, many of the continent’s major rivers are already running at exceptionally low levels, raising concerns that flows could slow even further before the end of the summer. Analysis by The National of data from the Copernicus European Flood Awareness System shows that river flows across much of Europe have remained well below […]
Tiny aerosol particles may be able to strengthen tropical convective clouds, but scientists have debated the idea for decades. Aerosols influence the formation and growth of cloud droplets, which can affect condensation and the release of latent heat. One proposed process, called condensational aerosol convective invigoration, depends on clouds developing very high water vapor supersaturation. […]
Wildfires occur across Europe each summer, but the fires that swept through Spain and France in July 2026 ranked among the most destructive either country had experienced in decades. Some of the worst outbreaks developed in southwestern France’s Gironde Department and in Spain’s Ávila and Madrid provinces during the middle of the month. The fires […]
The Arctic’s frozen ground contains enormous stores of organic carbon. As permafrost thaws and coastlines erode, some of that carbon is carried into the ocean. There, microorganisms can break it down and release greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change. Until now, scientists have had limited information about how much of this carbon returns to […]
This summer’s heat is human caused, not from El Niño – but the climate phenomenon is set to release pent-up ocean heat. Wildfires are burning in North America and Europe. Deadly heatwaves are suffocating cities and the world’s oceans are the hottest ever recorded for this time of year. A strengthening El Niño is forecast […]
Spraying buildings with water collected from rooftops could help cities reduce the impact of heatwaves, a study has found. Using sprinklers in hot weather to distribute rainwater stored in water butts could cut air conditioning use and lower urban temperatures, according to research from the University of Manchester. Rising temperatures globally are putting pressure on […]
