🌍 Political Inertia Sabotaging Europe's Climate Action, EU Green Chief Warns
🔥 Europe in Sizzling Heatwaves, but Leaders Remain Silent
Political timidity is holding back Europe's climate action, says Teresa Ribera, the EU's Executive Vice-President for Climate Transition. Amid a record-breaking heatwave across the continent, Ribera said most politicians are afraid to make decisions—despite the climate crisis becoming increasingly devastating in nature.
"You can't say to people that climate change exists and then don't do anything," Ribera said in an interview with The Guardian. "That's what's happening exactly.
Record temperatures of 46°C in Huelva, Spain, and 38°C in Eastern Europe threatened public health, agriculture, and biodiversity.
📉 Climate Warnings Ignored
Rising temperatures and fatal floods—like the 229 deaths in Valencia floods last October—are being ignored by politicians, Ribera claims, as they are still stuck "anecdotal" reactions rather than devising long-term, systematic plans.
🏙️ Unprepared Cities, Unready Systems
"Not much has changed from responding to preparing," Ribera cautioned.
EU Environment Commissioner Jessika Roswall reiterated the concern, citing that urban infrastructure, water networks, and energy grids are not yet designed to suit the changing climate reality.
💧Water: The Neglected Crisis
Roswall stressed water security as an overarching issue.
“We’ve taken water for granted too long,” she said. “It’s not just an environmental issue—it’s a national security issue.”
From drought-affected agriculture to data centers that consume huge amounts of water, Roswall stressed the urgency of rethinking how Europe uses and protects water.
🧱Political Fear vs Climate Facts
Far-right parties like Spain’s Vox and Hungary’s Fidesz dismiss climate action as either “utopian” or “too expensive.” Ribera strongly disagrees:
"It'll cost a lot more if we don't do it."
Political courage, not evasion, she demanded.
✅ Signs of Hope: Cooperation Possible
All is not lost. There is always scope for progress. Ribera referred to the €1.4 billion deal to conserve the Doñana wetlands as an instance of cooperation across party lines to protect natural habitats.
🌡️Climate Breakdown by the Numbers – June 2025
- Spain's average June temperature: 23.6°C (new record)
- Difference from 1991–2020 average: +3.5°C
- Extreme events: heatwaves, floods, wildfires
- Threatened areas: Southern Europe, especially Spain
📣Conclusion: Time for Action
"We need honesty, boldness, and unity to face up to this crisis," Ribera stated. "We can no longer delay."
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