Climate crisis-driven heat ‘sucking soils dry’ as extreme drought hits Europe
A new scientific analysis reveals that climate change-driven heatwaves are causing extreme drought conditions across Europe by rapidly evaporating water from soil and ecosystems. The study indicates that these conditions are significantly more likely to occur due to fossil fuel-related pollution.
Why it matters
The findings underscore the accelerating impact of the climate crisis on food security, water supplies, and energy production in Europe.
Barren, salt-damaged soil in a sunflower field in Scardovari, north-east Italy. Low water levels and prolonged hot, dry conditions in the Po delta are threatening irrigation supplies and crops. Photograph: Piero Cruciatti/Anadolu/Getty Images Barren, salt-damaged soil in a sunflower field in Scardovari, north-east Italy. Low water levels and prolonged hot, dry conditions in the Po delta are threatening irrigation supplies and crops. Photograph: Piero Cruciatti/Anadolu/Getty Images Drought Climate crisis-driven heat ‘sucking soils dry’ as extreme drought hits Europe Analysis shows how heatwaves are making atmosphere thirstier, damaging water supplies, food production and power generation
Damian Carrington Environment editor Thu 23 Jul 2026 00.00 EDT Last modified on Thu 23 Jul 2026 05.01 EDT Share Prefer the Guardian on Google Extreme heat supercharged by the climate crisis is sucking Europe dry in summer and intensifying the drought hitting the continent, a scientific analysis has found.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in