Monday briefing: Will the heatwave spark action, or further inflame the culture wars?
A severe heatwave across Europe has resulted in thousands of excess deaths, sparking debate over whether extreme weather will drive climate policy or fuel political polarization. Experts warn that despite clear scientific warnings, governments have failed to adequately address emissions or infrastructure resilience.
Why it matters
It underscores the disconnect between climate-driven disasters and the political will required to implement systemic change.
Crowds use a water-sprinkling canon to cool down near the Colosseum in Rome, Italy, on Friday. Crowds use a water-sprinkling canon to cool down near the Colosseum in Rome, Italy, on Friday. First Edition newsletter World Cup Monday briefing: Will the heatwave spark action, or further inflame the culture wars? In today’s newsletter: Last week’s extreme weather should galvanise the political response to global heating. But the sad paradox is that it could bolster support for climate-sceptical parties
The framing emphasizes the failure of governments to act on climate change and links the heatwave directly to fossil fuel emissions.
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