An international team of scientists reported that human-caused climate change has made extreme heat the main driver behind Europe's recent periods of exceptional dryness, rather than low rainfall. The researchers warned that a warmer atmosphere is sharply increasing the risk of drought and wildfires across the continent.
According to the scientists, rising temperatures are causing more moisture to evaporate from soil and plants, leading to drier conditions even when rainfall amounts remain normal. This shift means that heat, not lack of rain, is now the primary factor in many European droughts.
The study highlights how climate change is altering the nature of droughts, making them more severe and frequent. The findings come as Europe has faced several extreme heatwaves and dry spells in recent years, which have damaged crops, reduced water supplies, and fueled large wildfires.
The scientists emphasized that without efforts to curb greenhouse gas emissions, these trends are likely to continue. They urged governments to adapt water management and fire prevention strategies to the new reality of heat-driven droughts.
The report adds to a growing body of evidence linking climate change to extreme weather events worldwide.