The little critter appears to be moving a little too close to Europe’s shores for comfort, and could become a serious hazard for the millions heading to the coast in search of relief from one heatwave after another as we officially enter the summer holidays this week.

Known scientifically as the Vibrio bacterium, this microorganism is found in warm, brackish coastal waters, a mix of fresh and salt water found in estuaries, lagoons and river mouths, precisely the kind of shallow, warmer waters where children often like to swim.

@fidget.club5 Would u visit this beach in summer ? #uk#heatwave#summertime#crowded #beach ♬ original sound – Fidget Club

Not unlike other families, not all Vibrio bacteria are a hazard, and most are harmless. This one’s black sheep is Vibrio vulnificus, dubbed the “flesh-eating bacteria” by the media, which can cause severe skin infections. In rare cases, it may prove fatal, particularly in people with open wounds, weakened immune systems or chronic liver disease.

A recent study from the Gulf of Gdańsk found V. vulnificus most commonly hitching rides on medical waste, plastic film and cigarette butts floating in coastal waters, but not on food packaging, in other words, on the detritus people leave in and around the sea.

European institutions are worried. In the most severe cases, untreated infections can lead to necrotising fasciitis – a rare condition in which bacteria rapidly destroy skin, fat and tissue surrounding muscles – as well as bloodstream infections, sepsis and even amputations, according to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC). The agency warned of an “increased risk of Vibrio infections throughout the summer season”, particularly during heatwaves.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (@ecdc.eu)

“The Mediterranean is showing us what a hotter world represents,” Haim Aznague, analyst for Projects, Climate Action and Energy Resilience at the Union for the Mediterranean, told Euronews, suggesting that countries bordering the sea may eventually need a coordinated response.

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) warned that Vibrio can also be found in seafood, with some strains causing gastroenteritis and, in severe cases, fatal infections. The ECDC advises avoiding raw or undercooked shellfish, especially oysters.

The Mediterranean is among the fastest-warming seas on the planet, heating roughly 20% faster than the global ocean average, creating ideal conditions for harmful bacteria.

Europe has recorded a rise in Vibrio infections over the past two decades, and global numbers are expected to climb. The highest concentrations are currently found in the Baltic Sea, the Baltic-North Sea transition waters and the Black Sea, as well as coastal areas near major river inflows.

Aznague describes the Mediterranean as a “preview of climate change” rather than simply one of its victims.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by World Health Organization Nepal (@whonepal)

No European beaches have yet been closed because of Vibrio, but closures linked to pollution and other health alerts have become increasingly familiar in recent years.

Such measures affect not only holidaymakers but also local economies that depend heavily on summer tourism, from hotels and restaurants to water sports operators and other coastal businesses.

“A closed beach is a climate impact that comes with a bill attached”, warns Aznague, adding that “a reputation that takes years to rebuild”.

The Mediterranean was Europe’s most visited tourist region in 2024, recording 747 million international arrivals according to UN Tourism data. The ECDC now uses an interactive map, updated daily with a five-day forecast, to track the spread of the bacteria across European waters.

L’article Heatwaves and warming seas raise flesh-eating bacteria risk at European beaches est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

According to the Glacier Monitoring in Switzerland network (GLAMOS), every additional day of melting between now and October, when the first new snowfalls normally return to the Alps, will directly reduce the size of Swiss glaciers.

Data collection on what is known as “glacier loss day” began more than twenty years ago. It is perhaps somewhat reassuring that this year’s date is not the earliest on record: that unfortunate distinction still belongs to 26 June 2022.

GLAMOS director Matthias Huss warned on Friday, however, that Swiss glaciers are currently in a very bad shape and are melting at an unprecedented rate.

“We are just seeing enormous ablation, ice melt rates and snow melt rates all over the Alps,” Huss said, adding that conditions were “three months too early compared to a healthy state.”

The Alps have been shrinking for the past 170 years, but the pace has accelerated sharply in recent decades as temperatures have risen across Europe while snowfall has declined.

This year, the average snowfall over the glaciers was about 25% below the average recorded between 2010 and 2020. It matters because once the snow cover is gone, the glacier itself, essentially the darker grey ice underneath, becomes exposed and dark ice absorbs solar radiation far more readily than reflective snow, accelerating the melt.

Huss explained that he had recently returned to the Rhône Glacier and was struck by the changes he had witnessed in only ten days.

“There was one metre of ice melted in the vertical direction – one metre of melting within just the last 10 days,” he said.

“It’s very impressive to see, and this is just the effect of the heatwave.”

“The more days that are added with very high temperatures, not even mattering whether it’s 35 °C or 40 °C, this is just very bad for the glaciers.”

According to Huss, the “very bad state of the glaciers at the moment” results from a “combination of bad circumstances”, including reduced snowfall and the arrival of Saharan dust in March, which darkened the snow surface and sped up melting even before summer began.

Europe experienced record-breaking temperatures across many countries over the past week, with temperatures rising above 40 °C in several regions. The heat tested energy grids, emergency services and hospital systems and proved fatal for about 1,300 people across the continent.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Travel Tomorrow (@traveltomorrow.eu)

Europe remains particularly ill-prepared for such extreme heat events. And glaciers are not prepared at all.

Forecasts suggest another spell of unusually hot weather could return later in July, raising fears that the summer’s worst may not yet be over.

Switzerland has already lost around 1,200 glaciers over the past 50 years and now has only around 1,300 remaining.

Huss predicted that “if warming continues as it did over the last decades, by 2100 we will only be left with some little remnants of ice”.

L’article Swiss glaciers melting at alarming rate after record European heatwave est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

With temperatures exceeding 40°C, authorities in Paris, which regularly tops rankings of the most visited city in Europe, have had to announce early closing times for the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre.

The Eiffel Tower is usually open into the early hours in summertime, but visitors hoping to experience a romantic evening or sunset at one of the best-known and loved monuments in the world were unable to do so on Tuesday, 23 June, after the tower’s management declared an exceptional early closure at 4 pm, with last entries just after midday.

The change to usual service continued on Wednesday, and the tower’s website published a “Weather Alert” explaining: “Due to the high temperatures forecast, the Eiffel Tower will be adjusting its operations. Wednesday, June 24, Thursday, June 25 and Friday, June 26: the Eiffel Tower will exceptionally close at 4:00 PM. Last entry at 12:15 PM. Restaurants: Last entry at 1:30 p.m.”

Due to the tower’s popularity, it is common for visitors to book entries in advance. Prepaid visitors would be reimbursed, the website promised, noting: “Visitors with tickets for a visit from noon (for the stairs) and 12:30 PM (for the elevators), please check your email inbox. Your visit will be automatically refunded.”

The website also reminded readers to take precautions in the severe heat. “Remember to protect yourself from the sun and stay hydrated,” it said, adding: “Water fountains are available in the walkways leading to the plaza.”

Over at the Louvre, home to Leonardo da Vinci’s world-famous Mona Lisa, management followed suit on Tuesday, closing the museum early at 4 pm until at least Saturday, and explaining that the museum is “vulnerable and is not sufficiently adapted to climate change.” Last admissions are at 2 pm. Again, purchased tickets for individual visitors and groups of visitors with reservations for time slots after that time will be automatically refunded to the account used for payment, the Louvre website said.

Chers visiteurs,

En raison de la canicule et pour vous garantir des conditions de visite agréables aux heures les plus chaudes de la journée, le musée du Louvre fermera exceptionnellement ses portes de manière anticipée à 16h au lieu de 18h du mercredi 24 juin au samedi 27… pic.twitter.com/nYB8Z1Ng93

— Musée du Louvre (@MuseeLouvre) June 23, 2026

It’s not the first time the Louvre has had to close its doors at short notice. In 2025, the museum closed suddenly on multiple occasions, as staff walked out due to the pressure of high visitor numbers, infrastructure issues, and a jewellery heist, which also prompted shutdowns.

Elsewhere in France, high-profile attractions are taking similar measures to those in the capital. Mont Saint Michel, the country’s most visited spot outside the capital, has warned visitors to postpone their visits during the hot weather alert, since the picturesque Norman island has steep, narrow medieval streets and 360 steps.

Even beachside destinations are alerting visitors to the dangerous conditions. The Dune du Pilat on Arcachon Bay in the Gironde has warned the heatwave “requires everyone to exercise the utmost caution,” and lists “essential actions” which include avoiding climbing the Dune during the hottest hours since “on the ridge there is no shade or water source, the sand becomes scorching hot, and the effort is greater in the heat.”

The Dune authorities also recommend regular hydration and protective clothing, and note that there is an orange alert for forest fires, so parking is prohibited along the access roads and in the forest area.

Eurostar is running a reduced service between London and Paris, and travel in general across Europe is impacted by the heat, with many national trains cancelled due to the risk to infrastructure.

L’article Tourist attractions in France shut down due to extreme heat est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

The heatwave is forecast to last for at least a week, as hot air from the Sahara pushes temperatures between five and 10 degrees above the average for this time of year. Some of the region’s most popular tourist spots will be hit by the unseasonal warmth, which is predicted to hit 44°C in parts of Spain — a country that welcomed a record-breaking 96.8 million international visitors in 2025. Those who have chosen to stay away from traditionally hotter areas will not escape. San Sebastian in the north will see temperatures double the usual.

France banned drinking at the Fête de la Musique this weekend, cancelled trains, and suspended school classes, because a heat dome parked over Western Europe and pushed 35 of the country's departments to the highest heatwave alert. Portugal and Spain are forecast to hit 45°C.… pic.twitter.com/85S3yqccUx

— Skander Garroum (@skagarroum) June 22, 2026

Over half of France, the world’s most touristed nation, is labouring under the severe conditions, trains are running reduced timetables, and hundreds of schools are shut early. That in itself is a situation that creates other risks, as parents struggle to find childcare, and coastal areas and rivers become, in some instances, fatal attractions for youngsters and inexperienced swimmers. Météo-France has said there will be no immediate let-up of the “widespread, long-lasting and intense” heat.

Italy has issued warnings for 12 cities, including beloved tourist destinations such as Florence, Rome, and Venice, as well as Milan, where Fashion Week events are underway.

Other historically cooler European nations are also affected. The United Kingdom’s Met Office is among the authorities issuing a red warning, forecasting temperatures of 38°C on Wednesday and Thursday, while in Belgium, train operator SNCB/NMBS cancelled rush hour trains for Monday and Tuesday to prevent severe infrastructure damage and dangerous conditions for passengers. Intense heat causes steel rails to expand and potentially buckle, while overhead power lines can sag and touch trains.

The heatwave comes as Belgium’s “Tales of Future Weather” pilot project has taken climate statistics and created striking fictional weather scenarios aimed at raising awareness of the warming planet and helping cities prepare for extreme conditions. The project’s climate models accurately predicted high-season temperatures rocketing over 40°C for prolonged periods, with major impacts on electricity networks, public health, and local infrastructure.

As in recent summers where climate records have been surpassed, the risk of wildfires is high, especially in southern nations. Greece is already tackling a wildfire that has brought motorway traffic to a standstill in the centre of the country.

For travellers and residents across the bloc, the conditions mean immediate action should be taken to prevent harm. Staying hydrated, wearing skin protection, and staying out of the sun are essential, and intense physical exertion should be avoided. Construction work sites are likely to be closed as a precaution. Longer-term action means facing up to the climate effects of fossil fuel consumption and carbon emissions, and finding more sustainable ways to undertake life’s journeys.

L’article Red heat alerts issued as Europe’s favourite destinations suffer deadly temperatures est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

Research suggests that temperatures above 28°C (82.4°F) can affect soccer players’ performance — especially how fast, far, or frequently they run during a match. This can influence a team’s overall match strategy and style of play.

Ultimately, it could be harder for players to reach their peak performance during a match because of hotter temperatures. And teams with styles of play that rely on speed and repeated sprinting could face a disadvantage.

The analysis from Climate Central shows that climate change is making it more likely there will be temperatures high enough during most matches (97 out of 104) to negatively affect athlete performance. Nearly half of the matches (49) have at least a 50% likelihood of taking place during performance-impairing heat, the research found. In 26 of those matches, climate change increases the likelihood by at least 10 percentage points.

Among all matches, conditions for the match on 26 June in Guadalajara between Uruguay and Spain are most affected, with the 70% chance of performance-impairing heat 37 percentage points higher due to climate change.

And when it comes to the final, scheduled for 19 July at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey (known as New York New Jersey Stadium by FIFA), whichever teams are lucky enough to go that far will face a 47% likelihood of performance-impairing heat — odds that are about 17 percentage points higher because of climate change.

As well as affecting match strategy and how hard and fast players approach the game, extreme heat can pose a serious health risk, the Climate Central researchers point out, especially when combined with high humidity.

To keep players, fans, and staff safe, World Cup organisers are adapting to the rising heat risks by scheduling more evening matches in hotter cities as well as imposing mandatory hydration breaks at all 104 matches. Matches may be postponed if the web-bulb globe temperature (a measurement of humid heat) hits 32°C (89.6°F) to minimise risks of heat stress.

Another factor to be taken into account is that most stadiums are open-air, leaving players and millions of fans exposed to peak summer heat. Only three stadiums are fully climate-controlled (Atlanta, Dallas, and Houston). Fans as well as players then, should take sensible precautions to guard against heat stroke and sunburn, including drinking plenty of water, using suitably protective suncream and hats, and limiting exertion during the hottest parts of the day.

L’article Climate change has heightened risk of dangerous heat at 2026 World Cup est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

El Niño and La Niña are opposite phases of the El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO), one of the most powerful natural climate patterns on Earth. The phase Earth is approaching is El Niño. It sees ocean surface temperatures warm up in the central and eastern Equatorial Pacific. It typically occurs every two to seven years and lasts around nine to twelve months, developing between March and June and reaching its peak between November and February, with impacts on global temperatures typically being most pronounced in the second year after development.

This year, above-average temperatures are forecast nearly everywhere for June to August 2026, with an 80% likelihood of an El Niño event during the period. Probabilities for this to continue until at least November are near or above 90%, the WMO says. When the peak El Niño will hit is still uncertain, but models suggest conditions will be moderate to strong when it does, and that it will exacerbate the effects of climate change that are already being experienced in many parts of the world.

For citizens and travellers, if this coming year sees a strong event, America, Southeast Asia, and Australia will experience long spells of hot, dry weather in which the chance of droughts and wildfires goes up. With the Men’s FIFA World Cup playing out between mid-June and mid-July across Mexico, the US, and Canada, this could also mean some unbearably hot conditions for players and spectators. Staying hydrated, in the shade, and avoiding the hottest parts of the day are essential, especially for vulnerable individuals with underlying conditions.

In India, the monsoon season may be less intense than usual, but the southern US could suffer heavy rainfall and flooding, as warmer Pacific waters heat up the air, and warm air can carry more moisture. However, there may be more tropical storms in the eastern and central Pacific, but fewer in the tropical Atlantic, including the southeast US.

For Northern Europe, meanwhile, El Niño may increase the chances of a cold end to the year, according to the UK Met Office. This could bring better ski conditions than have been seen for a while to some European resorts, but will also heighten the risk of travel disruption in the air, on roads and rail, over the winter holiday season 2026.

Would-be holidaymakers should check travel insurance policies carefully, as extreme weather is usually an exclusion that means they will not receive compensation in case of affected journeys. They may also want to consider travelling in the shoulder seasons to avoid high drought conditions in traditional holiday hotspots, as well as looking at the Nordics and other so-called “coolcation” summer destinations that are trending at the moment.

Aside the risks for travellers, El Niño brings more existential threats. In a video statement, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres said, “The science is clear: El Niño is arriving on our doorstep in the coming months with 90% certainty. The world must treat it as the urgent climate warning it is. El Niño conditions will pour fuel on the fire of a warming world. Impacts will hit even harder, travel even farther, and cross borders with devastating speed.”

Coming on top of wars in key supply regions like Ukraine and the Strait of Hormuz, any negative impacts that El Niño might have on agriculture and fishing could contribute to rising world prices and food poverty.

El Niño is arriving on our doorstep in the coming months with 90% certainty.

The world must treat it as the urgent climate warning it is.

The only effective response is #ClimateAction equal to the crisis – ending the addiction to fossil fuels, accelerating the shift to…

— António Guterres (@antonioguterres) June 2, 2026

Addressing these concerns, Guterres called for “climate action equal to the crisis – ending the addiction to fossil fuels, accelerating the shift to renewables, protecting the most vulnerable, and delivering early warning systems for all.”

Echoing his words, WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo said: “We need to prepare for a potentially strong El Niño event – which will exacerbate drought and heavy rainfall and increase the risk of heatwaves both on land and in the ocean.” Saulo promised “the WMO community will be carefully monitoring conditions in the coming months to inform decision-making by governments, humanitarian agencies, and climate-sensitive sectors. Advance seasonal forecasts and early warnings are vital to save lives and cushion the impact on our economies and our communities.”

L’article El Niño is back: how the climate phenomenon could reshape travel in 2026 est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

Synthetic kerosene, also known as e-SAF, is produced using renewable electricity, captured CO₂, and water through a power-to-liquid process. This allows the fuel to be created without fossil oil, while still being compatible with existing aircraft engines and airport infrastructure. The fuel is designed to reduce lifecycle emissions by more than 90% compared to conventional kerosene. Because it can be used in today’s aircraft without technical modifications, it is seen as one of the more practical options for reducing aviation emissions in the short to medium term.

The 5% blend used on the Amsterdam–Hamburg route remains small, but it plays an important role in testing and demonstrating operational feasibility. These types of flights are not primarily about immediate emission reductions, but about proving that synthetic fuels can be integrated safely into commercial passenger operations. KLM already carried out a similar milestone in 2021, when it operated the first passenger flight using synthetic kerosene from Amsterdam to Madrid.

At the same time, the project highlights the gap between ambition and availability. While e-SAF is technically viable, production volumes remain extremely limited. Only small quantities are currently available, with 200 litres used in this latest operation compared to 500 litres in the 2021 test flight. This illustrates how slowly production capacity is developing, despite growing climate targets in the aviation sector and increasing regulatory pressure in Europe.

The development of synthetic aviation fuels is also closely linked to European climate rules. Through the ReFuelEU Aviation regulation, the European Union is requiring airlines to gradually increase the use of sustainable aviation fuels in the coming years. This includes specific targets for both regular SAF and newer fuels like e-SAF. The goal is to reduce aviation emissions and push the market to scale up production. However, airlines and fuel producers say that meeting these targets will depend on how quickly production capacity can grow across Europe.

Cost remains one of the main barriers to wider adoption. E-SAF is currently around four times more expensive than conventional sustainable aviation fuel and roughly eight times more expensive than fossil kerosene. The production process requires large amounts of renewable electricity and complex industrial systems, which are still in early stages of scaling. In addition, permitting procedures and regulatory uncertainty in Europe continue to slow down investment in new production facilities.

Airports are becoming key actors in this transition. Hamburg Airport, which supported the operation, has indicated that its infrastructure is prepared to handle alternative aviation fuels. This includes systems for storage, blending, and distribution, which are essential for integrating new fuel types into daily operations. As more airlines begin testing and adopting SAF blends, airport readiness is becoming an important factor in determining how quickly these fuels can scale.

Посмотреть эту публикацию в Instagram

Публикация от Hamburg Airport (@hamburgairport)

Speaking about the flight, KLM CEO Marjan Rintel said: “Today’s flight to Hamburg once again shows that flying on synthetic kerosene is technically possible, but the reality is that the availability of e-SAF lags far behind ambition.” She also stressed: “To truly make a difference, we must work together with governments, industry, and partners on scaling up and affordability in order to accelerate the sustainability of aviation.”

Looking ahead, synthetic aviation fuels such as e-SAF are expected to play an increasing role in efforts to reduce aviation emissions. However, scaling production remains the key challenge, particularly given high costs and limited supply. Alongside other solutions such as conventional SAF and future propulsion technologies, e-SAF is likely to form part of a broader mix of decarbonisation strategies. For now, the Amsterdam–Hamburg flight mainly demonstrates that the technology is already operational, while the industry continues to face the challenge of making it widely available.

L’article KLM tests synthetic kerosene blend on passenger flight between Amsterdam and Hamburg est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

In very different regions, the signs of transformation are already clear. Christian Clauwers, visual storyteller, EU Climate Pact Ambassador and founder of the Society for Environmental Awareness (SEA), pointed to examples from across the world that illustrate how climate change is already affecting communities and destinations. In Lofoten, traditional fishing and drying practices that depend on stable cold air conditions are being disrupted by shifting temperatures and weather patterns. In the Arctic, melting ice and changing ecosystems are altering both wildlife behaviour and local ways of life. In the Pacific, island states such as Tuvalu are facing rising sea levels that threaten freshwater supplies and agricultural production, forcing in some cases the full import of drinking water.

These realities are increasingly shaping discussions around COP31, the next United Nations Climate Change Conference in Antalya. These issues were also explored during the high-level event “Road to COP31: A Shared Future from Brussels to Antalya” at the Press Club Brussels Europe, organised by the Society for Environmental Awareness (SEA) in collaboration with the Sustainable Future Platform and Travel Tomorrow, which brought together policymakers, scientists and industry representatives. The focus is shifting from long-term climate targets towards immediate adaptation and resilience, especially in regions already under pressure. Coastal tourism destinations across Europe illustrate this intersection clearly, as they depend heavily on stable seasons, water availability and predictable environmental conditions that are becoming less reliable. Rising flood risks and growing pressure on infrastructure and insurance systems highlight how climate impacts are moving from environmental concerns into economic and operational challenges for destinations.

A recurring issue in these discussions is the gap between scientific knowledge and political action. Climate science has been warning about these developments for decades, yet implementation often remains slow or fragmented. “The knowledge is there, the political will is missing, and until that changes, scientific evidence alone will not be enough to drive meaningful action,” highlighted Bart Rymen, Belgium’s IPCC focal point. This gap is further widened by misinformation and limited climate literacy, which continue to shape public understanding of climate risks. International coordination remains essential, as climate impacts do not respect national borders. Pressure is increasing not only from scientists, but also from younger generations who are demanding faster and more visible action.

Traditional media dynamics are also shaping how climate debates are framed. Hans Bruyninckx, Professor of Environmental Governance at the University of Antwerp and former Executive Director of the European Environment Agency, noted that journalists regularly ask him to participate in discussions with climate deniers, despite the overwhelming scientific consensus on climate change. “There is no point in that debate, the real discussion lies within the complexity of the climate challenge itself rather than in questioning its existence.” He also pointed to a lack of investigative climate journalism, a problem he linked to financial pressures on traditional media outlets. Instead of presenting climate science as a two-sided debate, he argued that journalism has an important role to play in helping the public understand the complexity and urgency of the issue.

While environmental warnings have been consistent for decades, it is often economic consequences that finally push climate change higher on the political agenda. Policymakers tend to respond more quickly when environmental risks begin to affect financial stability, public services or security. One of the clearest examples can be found in the insurance sector, where climate risks are increasingly reflected in both current claims and future projections. According to industry assessments, Belgium could see around 40% more flood-related insurance cases by 2040. In some regions around the world, obtaining insurance is already becoming more difficult, creating knock-on effects for housing, investment and access to loans. Environmental risks often become politically urgent only when they translate into economic consequences, even though the scientific evidence has been available for decades.

Alongside these risks, there is a growing focus on ecological resilience and circular economy models as part of long-term solutions. Ecological resilience refers to the ability of natural systems to absorb shocks and recover, while the circular economy focuses on reducing waste and keeping resources in use for longer. Instead of relying on linear systems of consumption and disposal, destinations are increasingly exploring ways to integrate nature-based solutions. “Wetlands and mangroves can act as living barriers, absorbing wave energy and softening the impact of floods 
and coastal erosion before they reach human settlements,” explained Gudrun De Boeck, Head of the ECOSPHERE Research Group at the University of Antwerp. 

Tourism itself is also evolving in response to these pressures. In Türkiye, examples such as Club Marvy illustrate how tourism can move towards more integrated and locally rooted models. Rather than focusing only on visitor volume, this approach connects guests with local food systems, markets and cultural practices. It encourages a form of travel that is more participatory, where tourism becomes part of local life instead of being separated from it.

Communication is another key part of this transition, especially as climate change can still feel distant or abstract to many travellers. Scientific data alone is often not enough to convey urgency or complexity in a way that resonates widely. This is where journalism and visual storytelling play an important role. The exhibition “The Fragile Frontlines of a Warming World”, curated by Ipek Tekdemir and featuring the work of Christian Clauwers, aims to make environmental change visible through photography from regions already under pressure.

COP31 is increasingly positioned as more than another milestone in a long series of international climate negotiations. While agreements such as the Paris Agreement established global ambition, the challenge today lies in turning commitments into practical action at a time when climate impacts are already visible across tourism destinations. “Good leaders lead from the back, stronger economies and institutions, like the EU should actively support countries that are less equipped to deal with the consequences of climate change,” Daniel Cervenka, Director of The Convergence and CEO of Resolve Global. As COP31 approaches, attention is shifting from what has been agreed on paper to what can actually be delivered on the ground, with destinations already adapting to climate pressures through infrastructure planning, resource management and new tourism models.

L’article Experts call for action over ambition ahead of COP31 est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

Giannis Stathas, mayor of Arachova, has recalled childhood days where schools would close and roads would be impassable for several days due to snowfall. “We don’t see that here anymore,” he says, describing the former 300-metre altitude snowline shrinking away to 2,400 on Mount Parnassos.

And it’s not only anecdotal. Konstantis Alexopoulos, a snow hydrologist at Cambridge and the National Observatory of Athens, and co-founder of the Hellenic Mountain Observatory, found in a study that snow cover is “rapidly declining across 10 mountains of Greece, across the mainland,” adding: “We’ve lost more than half of the snow cover… since the mid-1980s.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Konstantis Alexopoulos (@konstantis_a)

Those four decades can be traced with NASA and European Space Agency satellite imagery, using machine learning fill in missing data. They reveal the loss of a snowpack water reservoir that Alexopoulos describes as like a “savings account.” Unlike rain, disappears quickly into rivers and seas, snow is stored in the mountains “ultimately melting at the time that we need it the most,” Alexopoulos said. 

Local Arachova restauranteur, Aktida Koritou, points out: “One hundred percent of Arachova’s water is supplied by snowmelt.” Dry springs and reservoirs are making residents more conscious of the need to save water, especially as droughts are now lasting into the autumn months. Those same droughts are exacerbating the risk of wildfires that Greece has faced off frequently in recent years. The possibility of constructing dams has been proposed.

Meanwhile, ski professionals are looking to snow retention techniques and adapting seasonal schedules to reflect the lack of snow—and visitors—in December, a month that used to see the ski season begin.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Travel Tomorrow (@traveltomorrow.eu)

Alexopoulos is calling for further research into what has been an under-explored phenomenon due to the remote nature of the landscapes in question, and a lack of understanding of the challenges that climate change would bring to these rural communities. 

“Other mountainous regions of the world, such as the Andes or the Himalayas, … have all experienced a steep decline in snow cover but not at the rate that we saw in the Greek mountains,” he said. “In Greece we haven’t focused so much on it because we never really understood the importance of snow’s contribution to our water resources,” he said. “But as this shifts and as this starts to decline, we are seeing those droughts, and we are trying to explain them.”

L’article Greek mountain resorts grapple with loss of snow and water shortages est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

The effects of global warming mean that spells of extreme heat present a growing risk to public health, especially for vulnerable individuals who live in highly urbanised places. But the latest study by researchers from University College London (UCL) and the University of Exeter, found that light-coloured roofs installed across all of London’s skyline could have kept the UK capital 0.8°C cooler during the heatwave of 2018, preventing 249 fatalities. That’s 32% of the 786 heat-related deaths that happened in London in the unusually hot months (1.6°C higher than seasonal averages) of June, July and August that year. 

UCL published its findings in Environment International in partnership with Belgium’s Sciensano, VITO, and KULeuven. Belgium is one of the most densely built-up countries in Europe, and in the Belgian capital, up to a quarter of the heat-related deaths during the July 2019 heat wave could have been prevented with the implementation of cool roofs, it claims.

“If widely adopted, cool roofs can significantly reduce the ground-level air temperature of a city,” explained the study’s lead author, Dr Charles Simpson from the UCL Bartlett School Environment, Energy & Resources, adding: “The resulting cooling effect across the city would save lives and improve the quality of life for residents throughout the urban area.” 

White painted or lighter-coloured roofs, as often seen in the picture postcards of Greek islands and hot Mediterranean countries, work to cool neighbourhoods down because they absorb less of the sun’s radiant energy than traditional roofing materials in countries like the UK, where black bitumen, grey slate, and terracotta tiles are more frequently seen overhead.

As cool roofs store and give off less heat, surrounding air temperatures remain cooler too. Implemented on a large scale, it’s possible to decrease outdoor temperatures, “especially during hot, cloudless summer days,” the researchers say, comparing it to “the difference between wearing a black T-shirt or a white T-shirt in the sun,’ according to KU Leuven researcher Fien Serras. “You stay cooler in the white T-shirt. The same principle applies to roofs, but with an impact on the whole city.”

The UCL and international team are recommending roofs that are intentionally made more reflective, for example, by installing white or light-coloured roof covering, by applying special coatings, or by using specific materials that reflect solar radiation. Having looked at the effect of adding greenery into urbanscapes, they also point out that more green spaces in combination with cool roofs proved important to lower nighttime temperatures—offering crucial recovery time for the human body when the temperature soars.

L’article “Cool roofs” could save hundreds of lives during heatwaves, scientists say  est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.