EU's crisis chief warns of long-term climate risks
In an exclusive conversation with Euronews, European Commissioner for crisis management Hadja Lahbib stressed the critical need for prevention to mitigate the threat of future wildfires. She rejected the arguments of climate sceptics who claim that the rise in destructive wildfire seasons across Europe is simply a consequence of unusually hot summers. Lahbib argued that climate change is no longer a distant threat but an immediate reality. 'They (climate deniers) should come here and see the situation, open their eyes,' she said, urging people to confront the present crisis rather than deny it. These remarks followed recent widespread wildfires that have burned through southern Europe, prompting emergency responses from several countries.
EU calls for investment in prevention and preparedness
Lahbib urged Europe to not only expand its firefighting capabilities but to significantly boost investments in prevention and preparedness. She backed the European Commission’s proposal to allocate €10.7 billion toward preparedness measures in the EU's upcoming long-term budget. 'Europe must become better at anticipating disasters instead of simply responding to them,' she stated. This call for a shift in strategy comes after Lahbib personally toured the Gironde region in France, where over 42,000 hectares have been destroyed in what the country's authorities have called one of its worst wildfires in decades. The growing number of cross-border requests for European emergency aid highlights the EU's view of climate-linked disasters as a continent-wide security issue, not just isolated national crises.
Experts warn of continued wildfire risks
Piotr Borkowski, Executive Director of the European State Forest Association, described the outlook for the Mediterranean, especially the Iberian Peninsula, as 'very negative'. He explained that the early summer heatwaves have caused extreme moisture loss in vegetation, increasing the likelihood of fires starting and spreading quickly and intensely. 'This points to a high likelihood of extreme wildfires developing, at least until the end of the summer season,' he told Euronews. Borkowski added that the current wildfire season isn't the result of a single new factor but rather a combination of long-standing issues. 'The issue is structural and territorial,' he said, pointing to the abandonment of traditional land-use practices such as forestry, agriculture, and livestock farming, combined with evolving climate conditions as key contributors to the crisis.
Lahbib noted the unusual start to this wildfire season, with the Netherlands — a country not typically associated with such incidents — activating the EU Civil Protection Mechanism as early as 30 April. 'The season started on 30 April,' she stated, emphasizing the unpredictable nature of the current situation. With fires continuing to burn in countries such as France, Greece, Turkey, and Tunisia, European leaders are under increasing pressure to rethink how the continent addresses climate-linked disasters. The focus, according to Lahbib, should move from reactive measures to a proactive approach that emphasizes both preparedness and long-term sustainability.