Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, described this summer as a "preview" of higher temperatures in the future during her annual State of the Union address. In this speech, she referenced alarming statistics indicating that 35,000 people have lost their lives due to extreme weather conditions this summer.
Respect for Heroes
In an emotional moment, von der Leyen introduced the family of a firefighter who lost their life battling a blaze. The European Parliament stood for a long applause in honor of this hero. This symbolic act underscores the importance of the sacrifices made by emergency responders in crisis situations.
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Von der Leyen also addressed the impacts of climate change on the daily lives of European citizens, stating: "The European Union can, must, and will continue to meet its climate goals." She emphasized the need to focus on prevention, adaptation, and preparedness for extreme weather events.
New Heat Response Program
The President of the European Commission announced a "European Heat Program" and stated: "We must not allow this summer to repeat itself." She called for improvements in warning systems and health preparedness, urban adaptation, and support for the most vulnerable individuals. Von der Leyen also referenced heated discussions about the use of air conditioning systems in Europe during the summer, which faced unprecedented temperatures.
She announced: "We will identify 100 vulnerable areas in Europe." In this regard, she pointed to the need for a new framework for climate resilience that will be presented next month. Von der Leyen also mentioned alarming statistics showing that 660,000 hectares of land have burned and approximately 12 million tons of crops have been lost.
She also announced the establishment of a "Climate Insurance Coalition" and said: "Currently, only about 25 percent of damages from natural disasters in Europe are covered by private insurance. This means that national budgets often act as the insurer of last resort. We must take action to fill this gap."
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