News Briefs
This summer, Europe experienced its highest average temperatures on record, with heatwaves and record-breaking temperatures affecting various regions of the continent. Globally, August was the joint-third-hottest on record, with extreme heatwaves also impacting olive-growing regions in China and California, leading to significant crop losses and low harvest expectations for the coming year.
The average temperature this summer in Europe was the highest on record, according to data from Copernicus, Europe’s climate change service.
Average air temperatures from June to August exceeded the previous record set in 2021 by 0.4 ºC, with extreme heatwaves hitting the east of the continent in August and record-breaking temperatures scorching the southwest earlier in the summer.
“An intense series of heatwaves across Europe paired with unusually dry conditions have led to a summer of extremes, with records in terms of temperature, drought and fire activity in many parts of Europe, affecting society and nature in various ways,” Freja Vamborg, a senior scientist at Copernicus, told the BBC.
See Also:Drought on Iberian Peninsula Expected to Persist Through November“The data shows that we’ve not only had record August temperatures for Europe but also for summer, with the previous summer record only being one year old,” she added.
This summer saw record-breaking temperatures across many European countries, including parts of France and Portugal. Across the continent, the heat was also accompanied by the worst drought of the past 500 years.
While it is very difficult to determine whether climate change directly caused any individual extreme weather event, World Weather Attribution (WWA) previously concluded that record-high temperatures of 40 ºC in the United Kingdom would have been “extremely unlikely” without human-caused climate change.
The initiative, which involves researchers worldwide, used observational and model analysis to determine that human-caused climate change made the event “at least 10 times more likely.”
They added that in a world with 1.2 ºC cooler average air temperatures, the United Kingdom would have likely been 2 ºC less hot.
At a global level, August was the joint-third-hottest on record, with temperatures exceeding the 1991 to 2020 average for the month by 0.3 ºC.
Outside of Europe, the olive-growing regions of China experienced drought and heatwaves throughout the summer months.
Parts of Sichuan, in the southwest, experienced 70 consecutive days of temperatures exceeding 40 ºC and the lowest water levels on record, resulting in significant crop losses and power shortages.
According to data from the United States Department of Agriculture, China produces about 8,000 tons of olive oil per annum, mainly in Sichuan.
California, which accounts for virtually all olive oil produced in the United States, also witnessed one of its warmest summers.
Earlier this week, parts of the Golden State experienced record-high temperatures. Sacramento, the state capital, recorded a record high exceeding 46 ºC. San Jose did, too, with the mercury nearly touching 43 ºC. Other cities recorded daily record highs, including San Francisco and Salinas.
California producers expect an exceptionally low harvest of 1.8 million tons in the coming crop year, partially fueled by the state’s unrelenting drought.
More articles on: climate change, drought, environment
May. 26, 2025
Scientists Tap Bacterial Strain in Pruning Waste for Sustainable Bioproducts
Argentine and Spanish researchers discovered a bacterial strain, Rhodococcus sp. 24CO, in olive pruning waste with potential for biotechnological applications.
Nov. 18, 2024
World Leaders Snub COP29, Jeopardizing Climate Action
The so-called “finance COP” is focused on securing funding for poorer countries to tackle climate change impacts.
Jan. 28, 2025
Farmers in Hungary Make Headway in Olive Cultivation
Capitalizing on the country’s warming winter weather and the persistence of farmers, olive trees flourish in Hungary's southern territories around Lake Balaton.
Apr. 16, 2025
Europe's Climate Change Accelerates, 2024 Warmest Year on Record
A new report from Copernicus and WMO shows that Europe is rapidly warming, leading to extreme weather and serious impacts on the continent.
Apr. 29, 2025
Olive Sector Key to Andalusian Circular Economy Plan
A new five-year plan from the Andalusian government sets ambitious goals for transforming the world's largest olive oil-producing region into a circular bioeconomy.
Jun. 11, 2025
Study Shows Mineral Clay Applications Boost Olive Oil Production
Mineral clay applications can mitigate the effects of climate change on olive cultivation, increasing yield and improving oil quality.
Jan. 28, 2025
Moroccan Producers Face Third Straight Year of Declining Production
Olive oil production is expected to fall to 90,000 metric tons, resulting in rapidly rising prices and fears of a shortage.
May. 7, 2025
Study Finds Potential for Olive Mill Wastewater in Biopesticides
Olive mill wastewater has potential as a biopesticide, providing a sustainable solution for both the environment and the olive oil industry.