Extreme weather events are expected to become more frequent and more severe as the warming trend—the main underlying climate driver—intensifies, says Konstantinos Kartalis, Professor of Environmental Physics and Climate at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens.

Kartalis notes that it is scientifically established that Europe is warming faster than other continents, due to changes in atmospheric circulation and declining snow cover. Less snow means less reflection of solar radiation and therefore greater absorption of solar energy.

The situation is particularly concerning because the rate of warming has accelerated over the past 30 years, he says.

Asked whether Greece is experiencing more days characterized by both heatwaves and drought, Kartalis cited research conducted at the University of Athens. In Attica, there were 45 days with simultaneous heatwave and drought conditions during 1971–2000, compared with 150 days during 2001–2022.

Such conditions are particularly damaging because they increase the intensity and severity of wildfires and place significant additional stress on forest ecosystems.

Why Are Europe’s Rivers and Lakes Drying Up?

Q: Why are rivers and lakes across Europe drying up?

A: This is the combined result of prolonged drought and increased evaporation caused by the high temperatures and heatwaves recorded in June and July.

Another contributing factor was reduced snowfall in the Alps last winter, which resulted in lower water reserves.

How Serious Is the Situation? Is It Linked to Wildfires?

A: It is scientifically established that Europe is warming faster than other continents, partly because of changes in atmospheric circulation and declining snow cover. Reduced snow cover means less solar radiation is reflected, leading to greater absorption of solar energy.

The situation is particularly concerning because warming has accelerated over the past three decades.

As for wildfires, heatwaves and drought make fires significantly more aggressive and harder to extinguish once they start—whether they are caused deliberately or by technical failures—because vegetation and forest material become extremely dry and effectively behave as fuel.

Are Heatwaves and Drought Becoming More Frequent in Greece?

A: Research conducted at the University of Athens on days when heatwave and drought conditions occurred simultaneously in Attica found 45 such days during 1971–2000, compared with 150 during 2001–2022.

This represents a very serious deterioration in climatic conditions, with a direct and clearly negative impact on forest ecosystems.

Why Does Drought Create an Energy and Economic Problem for Europe?

A: Drought reduces water reserves and therefore limits hydroelectric power generation.

During the most recent drought, reduced water availability for cooling thermal and nuclear power plants also led to their temporary shutdowns.

At the same time, lower river levels make navigation more difficult on Europe’s major rivers, affecting both tourism and commercial transport.

Agricultural production also declines, directly affecting food security.

This phenomenon is sometimes described as a “polycrisis”—one crisis triggering or amplifying another, with climate change acting as a common underlying driver.

Is Greece Facing a Similar Problem?

A: Over the past 30 years, the Mediterranean—and therefore Greece—has experienced more frequent, stronger and longer-lasting heatwaves and drier summers.

Although rainfall this year has been higher than usual in many parts of the country, the broader climate trend remains concerning, particularly from central Greece southward.

What Should We Expect in the Coming Years?

A: The scientific community has strong grounds to expect extreme climate events to become more frequent and intense as the warming trend continues to strengthen.

There are ways to adapt and reduce the impacts of climate change. These include:

• Increasing green spaces in cities.
• Improving water management in agricultural areas.
• Adopting spatial and urban planning that incorporates climate-change risks.
• Developing broader climate-adaptation strategies to reduce vulnerability.

However, Kartalis argues that the most important response is climate-change mitigation.

This can only be achieved by progressively phasing out fossil fuels—coal, oil and natural gas, which are responsible for producing the greenhouse gases that drive climate change.