The briefing clarifies that Europe’s recent heatwaves are not caused by declining air pollution. While air pollution, particularly aerosols, can influence local climate by reflecting sunlight and cooling the atmosphere, the main driver of the increasing frequency and intensity of heatwaves is global warming due to greenhouse gas emissions. Scientific evidence shows that long-term climate change, fueled by carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases, is the primary factor behind rising temperatures and extreme heat events in Europe. Although reductions in air pollution may have some localized effects on temperature, these are minor compared to the overwhelming impact of global warming. The briefing emphasizes the importance of distinguishing between short-term, localized influences like aerosol changes and the broader, well-established role of greenhouse gases in driving climate change. It concludes that attributing Europe’s heatwaves to declining air pollution is misleading and detracts from the urgent need to address carbon emissions to mitigate future climate risks.

Published on: 2026-07-26 at 00:15:02