The European State of the Climate report that was recently released showed that the continent endured a historic heat wave across Nordic countries, shrinking glaciers, and record breaking sea temperatures in 2025 as the fast-warming continent faces more frequent climate extremes.
“The climate indicators… are quite worrying,” Mauro Facchini, a European Commission official, told journalists.
The report underscores the need for the region to adapt to global warming and accelerate its transition to clean energy.
The report published by the EU’s Copernicus Climate Change Service and the World Meteorological Organization also found that at least 95 percent of the region experienced above-average annual temperatures, with Britain, Norway, and Iceland recording their warmest year on record.
“Since 1980, Europe has been warming twice as fast as the global average, making it the fastest warming continent on Earth,” WMO Secretary General Celeste Saulo said in a briefing on the report.
Sub-Arctic Finland, Norway, and Sweden, a region dubbed Fennoscandia – experienced a record three-week heatwave in July, with temperatures reaching 30 degrees Celsius within the Arctic Circle. Parts of the region had almost two weeks of “strong heat stress,” or when temperatures feel hotter than 32C. In an average year, the region will normally have up to two days of strong heat stress.
In Turkiye, temperatures reached 50C for the first time in July, while 85 percent of the Greek population was affected by extreme temperatures close to or above 40C.
Large parts of western and southern Europe were hit with two significant heat waves in June, including most of Spain, Portugal, France, and southern parts of Britain. A third followed in August.
Glaciers across Europe recorded a net mass loss in 2025, with Iceland experiencing its second-largest ever melt.
Europe is not the only continent that is warming and consequently faces climate extremes that have increased in terms of frequency and intensity. The Philippines, being one of the most vulnerable countries on the planet when it comes to climate change, should be keenly aware of the challenges and dangers that come with global warming and climate change.
Every time other continents, regions, or countries are reminded by scientists of the impacts of a changing climate, Filipinos should pay attention and take action because at this point, denying or pretending it won’t affect us is the worst thing we can do.*
