EU report urges policy action on predicted extreme weather risks

Europe needs to plan for future probabilities of extreme weather including heat waves, floods and storms, a European Union science policy group says. EASAC, formed by the national science academies of the EU member states, said in a report European policymakers risk grave economic and social consequences if they do not use the latest estimates of future droughts, floods and storms in their planning while adapting to global warming and the resulting climate disruption. The report cited a 60 percent rise over the last 30 years in the costs of damage from extreme weather events across Europe. "Given the tragic events this year in the rest of the world ... EASAC feels obliged to draw attention to the growing impact of extreme weather in Europe," EASAC President Sir Brian Heap said. "From the major loss of lives in heat waves to the economic and human costs of floods and storms, the implications are worrying," he said. "They present the European Union and its member states with significant challenges in preparing Europe for a future with greater frequency of extreme weather. Extreme weather events do not respect national frontiers so there is a need for action at both national and EU levels, Heap said. "The EU has a critical role in strengthening European climate-research communities and building networks across borders and disciplines to provide the data required for informed future policymaking. "