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BumRushDaShow

(129,775 posts)
Mon Mar 11, 2024, 04:58 AM Mar 11

EU must prepare for 'catastrophic' climate change risks, agency says

Source: Reuters

March 10, 2024 7:09 PM EDT


BRUSSELS, March 11 (Reuters) - Countries across Europe should prepare for "catastrophic" risks, ranging from floods to deadly heatwaves, as worsening climate change hits every part of their economies and societies this century, the EU Environment Agency said on Monday.

Policymakers need to draw up new plans to address the challenges, the Copenhagen-based body said in its first Europe-wide analysis of climate-related risks.

WHY IT'S IMPORTANT

Europe is the world's fastest-warming continent, heating up at twice the global rate, the EEA said. Even if countries manage to slow warming, global temperatures are already more than 1C higher than in pre-industrial times. The EEA said the damage will depend, in part, on whether policymakers act now to prepare societies - for example, by improving insurance coverage, redesigning infrastructure and introducing laws to protect outdoor workers from deadly heat.

Without more urgent action, the EEA said most of the 36 climate risks facing Europe could hit "critical or catastrophic levels" this century. They include risks to health, crop production and infrastructure.

Read more: https://www.reuters.com/business/environment/eu-must-prepare-catastrophic-climate-change-risks-agency-says-2024-03-10/

7 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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EU must prepare for 'catastrophic' climate change risks, agency says (Original Post) BumRushDaShow Mar 11 OP
It is causing me to do risk assessment bucolic_frolic Mar 11 #1
The insurance for property owners is a biggy BumRushDaShow Mar 11 #2
'You must prepare!' Aussie105 Mar 11 #3
You're right, rather than being focussed on futile preparation for 4 or 5 decades... Think. Again. Mar 11 #5
The public must prepare Miguelito Loveless Mar 11 #7
Yes, we, as humanity, have made the choice to allow climate chaos to take it's course... Think. Again. Mar 11 #4
I had never experienced 104% heat before last year in the hilly part of Portugal Maraya1969 Mar 11 #6

bucolic_frolic

(43,411 posts)
1. It is causing me to do risk assessment
Mon Mar 11, 2024, 06:21 AM
Mar 11

The winners will want to minimize exposure to insurance, water, flood, fire, storm, food, energy costs, perhaps even availability. IOW, climate risks.

I am a worried unhappy camper as things stand today.

BumRushDaShow

(129,775 posts)
2. The insurance for property owners is a biggy
Mon Mar 11, 2024, 06:39 AM
Mar 11

flooding obviously being the worst because it's not normally covered except through the federal flood insurance program (that I believe uses multiple 3rd parties to do the coverage).

I expect that at some point in the future, the federal government is going to need to get involved as an entity that will offer insurance for locales where private insurers have pulled out (this is other than flood insurance). The cost of that is probably going to be exorbitant. Of course there are areas that are prone and there will continue to be a debate about whether to continue to allow construction in vulnerable areas.

Aussie105

(5,463 posts)
3. 'You must prepare!'
Mon Mar 11, 2024, 06:48 AM
Mar 11

Sure. It has been said for many decades.

How though? Devil is in THAT detail.

Most Euro cities aren't set up to cope with heat waves.

Expect Londoners and Parisians to keel over in droves in the first multi-day 40 degrees C heat wave.

Got a 4 day long one happening at the moment in Adelaide, South Australia, at the tail end of it now.

Not the first one. Autumn here is outdoing Summer for daily temperatures.

We know the drill, stay out of the Sun, off the beaches, drink lots of water, cold showers, wet towel around your head if it is getting to you, crank up the A/C, stay off the roads, etc.

A/C in your home, A/C in your car, and A/C at work - helps you cope.
If you are an outside worker, stay home!

Floods are another 'How to prepare for that?' question.



Think. Again.

(8,587 posts)
5. You're right, rather than being focussed on futile preparation for 4 or 5 decades...
Mon Mar 11, 2024, 06:58 AM
Mar 11

...we should have stopping the emission of CO2 all that time.

The only chance left is to try to make our own individual lives as safe as possible with individual preparation.

Miguelito Loveless

(4,475 posts)
7. The public must prepare
Mon Mar 11, 2024, 09:05 AM
Mar 11

for a disastrous future. But you oil companies causing the disaster? Pray continue making money hand over fist. Oh, and here are billions in subsidies to help you on your way.

Think. Again.

(8,587 posts)
4. Yes, we, as humanity, have made the choice to allow climate chaos to take it's course...
Mon Mar 11, 2024, 06:53 AM
Mar 11

...for those of us who are concerned about the effects we'll suffer, the only work left is to prepare to protect ourselves as best as we can.

Maraya1969

(22,509 posts)
6. I had never experienced 104% heat before last year in the hilly part of Portugal
Mon Mar 11, 2024, 07:14 AM
Mar 11

And there was only one room with AC where I was. We had spray bottles with water in them and wore wetted scarves and there were spritzers from the ceilings in the outdoor parts. I lost about 8 pounds in the month I was there. The only saving grace was nighttime was still cool. Thank God because I have a really hard time sleeping in the heat.

Being from FL you would think I would be used to it but in the heat here I just go from one air conditioned place to the next and it has never gotten over 100% before.

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