Updated

Following a summer of record-shattering heatwaves across Europe and the northern hemisphere, described by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen as a 'summer of truth,' officials face pressure over an estimated €180bn in damage and roughly 35,000 heat-related deaths in Europe alone. The extreme heat scorched crops, emptied rivers and reservoirs, fueled forest fires, and warped infrastructure including train tracks and roads. Commentators have drawn comparisons to the 2003 European heatwave that killed an estimated 70,000 people, urging other regions such as Australia to learn from Europe's experience given that extreme heat has historically caused more deaths there than bushfires, floods, storms and cyclones combined.