Europe Must Learn from Africa on Heatwave Adaptation

In recent years, Europe has been repeatedly hit by heatwaves that scientists say would be impossible without climate change, underscoring the urgent need for mitigation and adaptation across the continent. However, technological development and adaptation efforts often face challenges ranging from funding to shifting government priorities. According to two climate activists from the African Climate Foundation, Europe needs to seek solutions from other regions, particularly Africa, which has long grappled with the impacts of global warming. In an opinion piece, they argue that the question is no longer whether wealthy nations need climate adaptation, but whether they are willing to learn from regions that have been adapting to climate instability for decades. African communities have long lived with extreme heat, drought, and vulnerable infrastructure, adapting to harsh conditions without the adequate funding or recovery systems available in wealthy European countries. The development behaviours, architecture, technology development, and institutions in Africa can provide important lessons for Europe. While the activists acknowledge it is impossible to directly apply what is done in Africa to Europe, they note that solutions designed for Ouagadougou would need to be reshaped, tested, and adjusted before succeeding in Marseille or Madrid, as local geography, building regulations, culture, and governance all play a crucial role.