The text describes a series of catastrophic events in Greece and the surrounding region, including a fire, a flood, and heatwaves. The city of Volos, in Central Greece, was particularly hard hit. The river that divides the city turned into an angry torrent due to biblical rains, causing at least two deaths and leaving three people missing. The city's mayor waded into the flood waters to plead with residents to go back home. The situation was dire, with cars in the sea and on the island of Skiafos, famous for the film Mamma Mia. Residents attempted to build dams against the rising flood waters.
The country had just endured the longest ever Heat Wave, with wildfires forcing an exodus of tourists. In July, fires around Volos detonated ammunitions stored at a military Air Base. The city is now counting the cost and cleaning up after a summer seemingly cursed by the climate.
The text also mentions global climate change issues, with the UN stating that climate breakdown has begun. The environmental economist Dr. Matthew Agawala from Cambridge University discusses the concept of a "Tipping Point" in climate sustainability and well-being. He suggests that by the time the worst of the Tipping Points is hit, it will be too late to avoid the worst consequences. He emphasizes the need to reduce the net exchange of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere and reverse the trend in the loss of biodiversity.
The text ends with a discussion about the UK's position in the "arms race" towards net zero emissions, with the UK left adrift in this race and slowing down its investments in offshore wind. The text suggests that the public and politicians need to understand the trade-offs and difficult decisions that are going to need to be made to avoid the worst effects of climate change.
1. The text describes a severe flood event in Volos, Greece, caused by heavy rains that began on Monday. The rains were the heaviest ever recorded in the region.
2. The river that divides the city of Volos turned into an angry torrent due to the biblical Reigns.
3. At least two people have died in Greece after being swept away by flood waters.
4. Another three people are still missing, particularly in the mountainous Pelion Peninsula.
5. The city of Volos is once again counting the cost and cleaning up after a summer seemingly cursed by the climate.
6. The city has just endured the longest ever Heat Wave.
7. In July, fires around Volos detonated ammunitions stored at a military Air Base.
8. The city of Volos has been hit by the hottest summer on record.
9. The environmental economist Dr Matthew Agawala from Cambridge University is focused on climate sustainability and well-being.
10. The UN Secretary General has said that leaders must now turn up the heat for climate Solutions.
11. The UK is left adrift in the arms race towards net zero.
12. The UK is slowing down its investments in offshore wind.
13. The UK is considering relaxing the restrictions on onshore wind.
14. There's talk politically in the UK about the Euless, north of the oil and gas, becoming sort of political wedge issues ahead of a general election.
15. The public needs to know and what the politicians need to know is what the scientists and economists have been saying for decades: the trade-offs are real and they are inescapable.