A new and intense heatwave has swept across Western and Central Europe in recent weeks, with temperatures exceeding 40 °C in several areas. According to Severe Weather Europe, a persistent “heat dome” formed in mid-June, pushing thermometers to the limit and affecting cities in Spain, France, and the United Kingdom.
In light of these warning signs, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres had already issued an urgent appeal on 25 July 2024 during a press conference dedicated to the climate emergency:
“Extreme heat is having an extreme impact on people and planet. The world must rise to the challenge of rising temperatures.”
A clear and unequivocal message: the world must act — and act now.
An unprecedented wave
- On 30 May, temperatures in southeastern Spain had already reached 42 °C, with similar peaks in Portugal.
- In France, health alerts were triggered in many areas, with temperatures exceeding 38 °C in parts of the west.
Increasingly serious impacts
The combined effects of extreme heat, high humidity, and poor ventilation have severely impacted public health, with rising cardiovascular, respiratory, and heat-related risks — especially in densely built urban areas.
In this scenario, climate adaptation is no longer optional: it’s a necessity. We need local, coordinated strategies that include shaded paths, wind corridors, water refill points, and urban furniture designed to provide thermal relief.
The Cool Noons project is working in this direction: developing and testing practical solutions to improve urban comfort during the hottest hours, and strengthening the resilience of Mediterranean cities. The five pilot cities — Marseille, Imola, Lisbon, Dubrovnik, and Budva — are currently testing cool routes, shaded areas, and distributed cooling solutions to tackle heat in a sustainable, replicable, and context-sensitive way.
Follow us on social media to stay updated on all the actions of the Cool Noons project and the solutions being tested in our pilot cities.
