Barbara Metzler

Satellite imagery shows the effects of successive summer heatwaves across western Europe, including shrinking Alpine glaciers, wildfire-scorched land, depleted rivers and severely stressed vegetation. The Danube has reached its lowest levels in 30 years in several countries, disrupting shipping, exposing submerged objects and limiting nuclear power-plant cooling, while low Rhine levels have stranded cargo vessels and cancelled cruises. France has recorded its worst wildfire season, with more than 90,000 hectares burned. Climate scientists link the severity of the heat, drought and fires to long-term human-caused climate change, warning of serious consequences for glaciers, agriculture and food production even if rainfall returns.

Satellite imagery examined by BBC Verify shows the effects of successive summer heatwaves across western Europe, including retreating Alpine glaciers, drought-stressed vegetation, lower river levels and wildfire damage. The Danube has reached its lowest levels in decades, disrupting nuclear power-plant cooling and exposing previously submerged objects, while low water on the Rhine has stranded cargo vessels and cancelled cruises. France has recorded its worst wildfire season, and vegetation indices show unusually widespread stress across France, the UK and western Germany. Experts link the worsening conditions to persistent high-pressure systems and the longer-term influence of climate change, warning of serious consequences for glaciers, ecosystems, agriculture and food production.

Satellite imagery shows the effects of the UK's prolonged hot and dry summer, including falling reservoir levels, brown parks and golf-course fairways, and algal blooms in lakes. Reservoir storage in England is below the long-term average, while parts of Scotland face significant or moderate water scarcity. Experts warn that vegetation stress could harm farming and contribute to higher food prices, and that climate change and rising demand will increase the UK's long-term risk of water shortages. Dry, hardened ground may also raise the risk of flash flooding when rain returns.