Most northern Europeans are used to cold winters and relatively mild summers, and perhaps an annual beach vacation in countries like Greece, Spain and Italy.
But as humans continue to burn oil, gas and coal, releasing the greenhouse gas emissions causing climate change, Europe is becoming the fastest-warming continent. And deadly heat waves are growing more intense and frequent — even in once cool countries like Germany and Ireland.
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That means learning to adapt, and understanding just how dangerous rising temperatures can be. Extreme heat can cause dehydration and heatstroke, which can be fatal, and worsen a range of conditions like kidney or cardiovascular issues. Older and pregnant people, infants, those with chronic illnesses and the unhoused are among the most vulnerable.
Europe is currently in the grip of a severe heat wave made more intense by climate change. Temperature records are being smashed, breaching 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit) in some unlikely places.
People living in warmer southern European countries have more experience of managing hotter conditions. Here’s how they do it.
Stay out of the midday sun
Keep exertion to a minimum between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. — the most punishingly hot hours of the day. In Spain and Greece, tourists from colder climes sometimes underestimate the midday sun, heading out for walks in flip-flops and with no water when ground temperatures can reach up to 60 degrees Celsius (140 Fahrenheit). Sometimes the consequences are fatal.
Southern Europeans rarely sit out in the sun, walk the streets or go for a run when the day is at its hottest. Instead, it’s all about strolling along shady streets, staying indoors with fans on and shutters down, or chilling out somewhere with air conditioning. Towns and villages in southern Europe tend to first come alive in the evenings, when temperatures are cooler.
Respect the siesta
It’s common for visitors to Spanish, Greek or Italian towns to find everything shuts down around lunchtime. Shops close and streets empty as locals retreat indoors for a spell to rest — the siesta.
This might be more difficult to do in northern European countries, considering there is no tradition of workers taking off for an afternoon nap. But when possible, a short rest in the middle of the day can boost energy levels, especially since increasingly hot nights disrupt sleep.
As heat waves become more common, employers will likely have to rethink work schedules, particularly for people doing outdoor labor.
Light, cool meals and go easy on the alcohol
In Spain and France, it’s not unusual to have a small beer or glass of wine during the day with food. As tempting as that might sound, when it comes to drinking on a hot day, moderation is key.
Alcohol is dehydrating, so going overboard is particularly dangerous in the heat. In fact, French authorities recently banned alcohol consumption at festivals and public events because of searing temperatures.
The kind of food eaten at lunch is also important on hot days. In Spain and Greece, a cold soup like gazpacho or a salad with hydrating water-rich foods like cucumbers, tomatoes or watermelon, are common dishes.
Water, water everywhere
The hotter it is, the more the body sweats. So sipping on water and “aguas frescas” — light, non-alcoholic beverages made with fruit, flowers or seeds mixed with sugar and water — is a good way to stay hydrated throughout the day.
Italian cities are dotted with public drinking fountains offering free, cold water to anyone who needs it. Rome’s iconic “nasoni” — “big noses” in Italian — have flowed continuously since the late 1800s. Locals drink from them by blocking the bottom and forcing the spring water to arc upwards. They use these fountains to cool their wrists and hands, which is meant to help lower core body temperature.
The French favor a different approach: misting the face, arms and legs with small spray bottles, which pharmacies stock in bulk during hot weather.
Cool clothing and tropical nights
Wearing less might seem like a logical way to keep cool, but that’s not necessarily so. Southern Europeans often favor loose, flowing and light-colored clothing in natural fabrics like linen and cotton. Such clothing protects bare skin, absorbs less heat and is more breathable than synthetic fibers.
And what about bedding? Cotton sheets are cooler than synthetic ones. Local tricks include sleeping with a cool damp sheet in front of a fan or open window and cross ventilating at night when it’s cooler. During the day, keeping curtains drawn, shutters closed or some kind of reflective window covers can help keep the heat out.
But as long as humans continue to burn fossil fuels, releasing the greenhouse gases heating the planet, Europe will see more deadly, intense and frequent heat waves that will become even more difficult to live with. The continent will have to adapt swiftly and deeply by changing how Europeans live and work, as well as the way homes and cities are built and powered.
Edited by: Tamsin Walker
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