The two futures of a Europe threatened by the climate crisis

In a world of climatic extremes, Europe could lose more than 2% of its GDP in 2050 and more than 5% by the end of the century. It is estimated that those most affected by these losses will be the southern countries, including Spain, where global warming is expected to become extreme and put all economic sectors in check. Of particular concern is the impact of extreme heat in the primary sector, such as agriculture, livestock and fishing.

In all G20 countries, an extreme climate crisis could cause annual losses of almost 5% of GDP in 2050 and higher than 8% by 2100; with twice as many losses as those caused by the covid-19 pandemic. It is estimated that the United States, India, Japan, South Africa and Canada will stand out as the most affected countries, with losses of between 10 and 13% of GDP.

More of seven million europeans could be exposed to “a severe water shortage“If the planet exceeds 3 degrees of global warming. The lack of water resources could cause, in turn, losses of almost € 100 billion in the coming decades. It is also estimated that increased extreme heat will bring a 14% increase in the frequency of droughts hydrological conditions and 66% in agricultural droughts.

Meanwhile, everything indicates that by 2050 the demand for water for agriculture will increase by 40% in the south of Europe. This scarcity of resources could jeopardize key crops for the continent. In Spain, for example, it is expected that the corn crop yield of much of the Peninsula could plummet. In the south of the country, wheat production it would also be seriously threatened by the climate crisis.

Extreme global warming would raise the temperature by four to seven degrees in Europe before the end of the century. By 2050, the average annual temperature could add 2.5 degrees relative to current values. The maximums and minimums would also suffer increases of around three degrees, with winters less and less cold and increasingly scorching summers. Mediterranean countries, including Spain, will stand out as the most affected by extreme heat. It also worries the impact of high temperatures in urban environments, where the ‘heat islands’ increase the phenomenon.

In a world of climatic extremes, heat waves could be 84% more frequent and last an average of 1,247% longer than now. In Europe alone, deaths from extreme heat could add up to between 30,000 and 50,000 deaths annually by 2050 and beyond. 90,000 deaths a year before the end of the century. Deaths from extreme heat in the year 2100 could be equivalent to the total balance of the last two decades.

In a world of climatic extremes there could be up to three times more storms, storms and extreme floods. Starting in 2050, it is estimated that extreme weather events that previously occurred once every 100 years will begin to occur every 30 years and will increase in frequency as the century progresses. Everything points to the Central European countries (like Austria, Hungary and Slovakia) would be the most affected by extreme storms. In the Mediterranean there is concern that torrential rains will extend beyond the usual seasons.

Projections suggest that, if the climate crisis progresses towards the worst-case scenario, in 2050 Germany will go from 28,000 to 150,000 affected annually by floods and extreme storms; France will raise its balance from 25,000 to 144,000 and Italy from 17,000 to 100,000. The impact of extreme weather events could increase by the end of the century.

If the climate crisis is extreme, the sea level could rise up to one meter by the end of the century, thus increasing the risk of flooding in the coastal areas of Europe. The sea temperature could rise one degree in the Atlantic and up to three in the Mediterranean. Mediterranean coasts could suffer a erosion of up to 10 meters per year. In 2050, Europe could have lost up to 25 meters of sand and beaches. By then, coastal infrastructure could suffer annual damages of 776,000 million euros.

Meanwhile, in the waters, a decrease is also expected in the levels of oxygen in the water (a key factor for life in seas and oceans) and a decrease in chlorophyll thresholds (which stand out as an indicator of the well-being of marine ecosystems. ). All of these factors could cause a drastic reduction in fishing. In fact, potential fish catches are estimated to decline by at least a quarter by 2050.

If Europe is exposed to extreme heat and prolonged droughts, fire risk could skyrocket by more than 10% in the coming decades. The area burned in forest fires each year could increase by 1,659 square kilometers per year between now and 2050, the equivalent to burning the entire city of London every year. Large fires could spread across southern and eastern European countries, from Spain to the Balkans and Poland.

It is estimated that around 2070, the fire season will have already been lengthened by at least 10%. The European fire boom will also bring an increase in greenhouse gases, which will further fuel the vicious cycle of global warming. In 2050 we could have up to 18% more suspended particles generated by fires and 15% of global carbon emissions.