A simple scientific explanation for the sweltering weather in Europe

For millions of people in Europe, the insufferably hot weather this week is a reason to reflect on why climate change matters. For the first time in history, temperatures in the United Kingdom have reached 40 °C, while France, Portugal, Spain, Greece, and Croatia have been battling forest fires for several days or even weeks.

We know that global warming is the cause of these events, and during a heatwave, this needs to be clearly understood. (Although newspapers in various countries still publish climate sceptics who are prepared to lash out, claiming that it is because the Earth is moving closer to the Sun).

If your understanding of the science is a little fuzzy, or if you need a few arguments to convince those who are unconcerned about the climate, we are here to help.