Europe is currently experiencing one of the hottest summers on record. Three successive heatwaves have, in some cases, proved fatal for the most vulnerable. Nature is also paying a heavy price: vast wildfires are currently ravaging the Madrid region in Spain, the Var in France and Sicily in Italy.

These heatwaves have come as no surprise to climate scientists, who have been warning for years about the increase in such phenomena. The urgency today is twofold: to adapt to these sweltering summers, and to mitigate global warming in the long term. This requires a profound societal change, moving away from the global system of overproduction, overconsumption and the frantic pursuit of profit. The rise to power in recent months of climate-sceptical heads of state who, following in the footsteps of Donald Trump, are choosing denial, should serve as a further cause for alarm.

Find all our weekly editorials here, check out our regular posts on our blog ‘Libérons les crayons’ (Let’s free the pencils) and subscribe to our newsletter!