Southern Europe, particularly Spain, Greece, Italy, and Albania, has been experiencing record-breaking heat waves. Researchers attribute this to the escalating climate crisis, which is intensifying extreme weather conditions.
In Seville, temperatures reached 40°C (104°F) on July 20, coinciding with national elections that ended without a clear winner. Tourists waited in long lines to enter the Royal Alcázar Palace, clutching lukewarm water bottles.
The stones of the city’s massive Gothic cathedral were hot to the touch. Local taxi driver Carlo Núñez, 41, remarked, “The heat is relentless. Summers are hotter and longer than they used to be.”
Tourists sought shade in tapas bars, and locals used fans, a staple in Andalusia, where hot summers are common. Maria Sánchez, 39, who works in a fan shop, finds her commute home unbearable despite having air conditioning at work. The heat also disrupts her sleep.
Triana Bridge in Seville during a severe heatwave, highlights the region’s struggle with scorching temperatures and water scarcity.Water scarcity and extreme heat are ongoing issues in Spain, especially in Andalusia. Economist Tacho Rufino, who splits his time between Seville and the cooler Cádiz, has experienced skin cancer due to sun exposure. “The skin has memory, and it’s not adjusting fast enough to the harsher sun rays,” he said.
Spain’s recent election, held during this intense heat, resulted in an inconclusive vote. Despite criticisms of the election timing, voter turnout exceeded 70%.
Andalusia has also been embroiled in a dispute over the Doñana National Park, a vital wetland facing degradation from excessive farming. The regional government’s proposal to expand agricultural irrigation has met opposition from the European Commission and Spain’s central government.
A Greenpeace report highlights Spain’s heavy reliance on natural resources for agriculture, which is under increasing strain from climate change.
The economic impact of the recurring heat waves will extend beyond summer, particularly affecting the olive oil sector. Spain, the world’s largest olive oil exporter, has seen prices soar, a trend expected to continue.