Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis informed parliament on Wednesday that Greece is facing its most challenging climate conditions in the last 40 years due to unprecedented weather events. According to reports from the United Nations, the Mediterranean region has been identified as a significant “hot spot” for climate change, experiencing warming rates above the global average.
Mitsotakis described the current summer as marked by relentless heat waves and catastrophic wildfires, stating, “We expected a very difficult year in terms of climate. It was the most difficult in the last 40 years, according to data from all scientists, including those from the national climate monitor.” He cited the impacts of “persistently higher than average temperatures,” “drought,” and “strong winds,” emphasizing that Greece must confront the realities of climate change.
As of now, Greece has reported a staggering 9,101 wildfires, a rise from 7,163 last year. The blazes have scorched over 44,000 hectares of land, significantly affecting the environment. The prime minister noted that fires began earlier than usual, with major incidents recorded since March in the northern regions of the country.
In September, authorities declared that Greece had experienced its hottest summer on record, with June and July marking the warmest months since monitoring began in 1960. Tragically, more than 20 lives were lost in the wildfires last year, underscoring the urgent need for action against the growing threat of climate-related disasters in the region.
