Europe experienced record-shattering heatwaves, wildfires, depleted rivers and reservoirs, crop losses, and infrastructure damage across the continent. France recorded its hottest day ever, and about 35,000 people in Europe died during the summer's extreme heat. The European Union estimated the damage at about €180 billion [theguardian.com]. Harvest losses will probably raise food-price inflation, while infrastructure repairs have only just begun [theguardian.com]. Commission President Ursula von der Leyen called the season a “summer of truth” [theguardian.com]. Highlights: • Regional scope: Climate chaos also affected the wider northern hemisphere, sending heat records tumbling [theguardian.com]. Sources: • Burning forests, emptying rivers, €180bn in damage: Europe’s politicians face reckoning after ‘summer of truth’ - theguardian.com • Burning forests, emptying rivers, €180bn in damage: Europe’s politicians face reckoning after ‘summer of truth’ | Amid record-shattering heatwaves and popular demand for climate action, why are politicians often timid or in denial? - reddit.com • European leaders face growing political pressure after record heatwaves and summer climate impacts - reddit.com --- 📰 Story aggregated by Kagi News