heat

We have been fleeing the heat for years to play sports. Science has discovered that we were losing a superpower

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Summer is coming, temperatures are rising and going for a run or cycling becomes an act of bravery. In this situation, common sense tells us that we should avoid the middle hours of the day, hydrate ourselves more and slow down, even though there is a possibility of falling into the sedentary lifestyle. This is why it is vital to adapt our exercise and rest to the high temperatures we are facing. The thermal shock. When we exercise, our muscles generate energy, but only 20-25% is translated into mechanical movement and the rest is released as heat. If we add to this a hot environment, the body faces a double thermoregulatory challenge. As detailed in an exhaustive review published in 2021Under heat stress, the body diverts a large flow of blood to the skin to dissipate heat through sweat. This means there is less blood available to working muscles and the heart. The result? The heart rate skyrockets to try to compensate and exhaustion comes much sooner. Acclimatization. The good news is that our body is an extraordinarily adaptable heat machine, and that is why if we expose ourselves to heat progressively, we activate what is known as acclimatization. Here, a study published in 2024 quantified this adaptation and it was seen that, after a period of repeated exposure to heat, the participants managed to reduce their core temperature at rest by 0.19 ºC and their heart rate by 6 beats per minute. That is, follow a process of adaptation 8 to 14 days Heat training consistently improves performance and thermoregulation. In fact, from the fifth day onwards, cardiac adaptations begin to be noticed. The physiology. Something that has been seen is that in the first week of heat training, the body retains more water and sodium in order to increase the blood volume that runs through the arteries and veins with the aim of improving cardiac output and the supply of oxygen to the muscles. The good thing is that if we maintain the thermal stimulus long term, the body responds by creating more hemoglobin, which is the protein that transports oxygen through the blood. This makes the system much more efficient when training, since the muscle will have a greater amount of oxygen. Train with heat. Just because the heat offers physiological advantages does not mean that we should go running at three in the afternoon during the heat wave in August, since there are serious complications such as heat stroke. Here the recommendation states that exposure to heat should be progressive, with short sessions at low intensity and increasing the duration over two weeks. Logically, hydration must be maintained according to physical activity, since dehydration of more than 2% of body weight nullifies many of the advantages of acclimatization and dangerously increases internal temperature. In short, training in the heat is hard but little by little it is possible to adapt as long as common sense prevails, changing the training schedule also to times with lower temperatures. Image | Unsplash In Xataka | Drink water right before going to sleep? Science has finally clarified whether it is a good idea or a terrible enemy of sleep

We have been trying to optimize cooling for centuries. My grandfather from Toledo solved the heat with the simplest invention: a door split in two

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He looks at me and says: “broken doors.” In his country house, my grandfather’s door opens in half: bottom leaf, top leaf, each with its own hinge. Every time I see it I think of cowboy movies, the logo of saloon from some after-dinner western. I imagined: “of course, for the cat.” Nothing to see. history class. The idea of ​​the split door is not only from La Mancha or Toledo, it is the same principle as the Dutch doors or stable doors from four centuries ago. According to the definition itself, the first dutch doors They date from the mid-17th century, around period 1640-1650. From here they became a practical solution in farms and rural houses in the Netherlands and the United Kingdom, in order to let air and light in while keeping out animals, dust and some of the cold. The chronology itself can be found in Dutch paintings of the time, such as ‘Young Woman at a Dutch Door’, from 1645 and attributed to Samuel van Hoogstraten, a painter in Rembrandt’s workshop. Its use became popular in the American colonial era and its fame decreased towards the end of the 18th century, in favor of more robust, secure and single-leaf doors. A tunnel of cold and cleanliness. At that time, the word air conditioning did not exist, but there was a concern for hygiene: when you open only the upper half, the door works like a large window, releasing pollution from cooking smoke, which, being less dense, always accumulates at the top. And thus a small renewal current was created with the lower leaf closed. If the house had another opening on the opposite façade, the effect was amplified: cross ventilation is generated that brings in cooler air on one side while hot air leaves on the other. A simple but very effective formula if activated first thing in the morning or in the late afternoon, when the sun sets. And in winter? Well, the same door allows the opposite: opening only the lower part for a few minutes to ventilate without the entire pocket of hot air stuck to the ceiling escaping, reducing thermal losses in houses without modern insulation and where the heat was produced from braziersglories (under the floor) or low chimneys. In winter you open the bottom part to ventilate without losing the warmth that gets trapped on top. In summer, quite the opposite: you open the upper part so that the hot air can escape while the ground floor remains in darkness. If you light a fire in the kitchen, just open the top so that the smoke comes out through natural convection —chimney effect pure and hard—while the lower leaf continues to act as a barrier against the cold that comes from outside, usually the corral or the orchard. Thick walls, slow summers. The split door works because it works in tandem with another ancient technology: fat walls. So thick that they do not allow the electromagnetic radio waves that make WiFi to work. In the traditional architecture of the Meseta it is not uncommon to find enclosures more than fifty centimeters thick, chambers made of stone, rammed earth or solid brick, with a thermal inertia similar to that of a cave. The physics behind it couldn’t be simpler: the more mass the wall has, the longer it takes the outside heat to pass through it. Meanwhile, the interior remains relatively cool, as happens in any church where the sun takes hours to show itself or sometimes not even that. The same wall, in winter, absorbs part of the heat from braziers and stoves and slowly releases it when night falls, reducing thermal fluctuations in homes without radiators. What we call today “passive comfort management” is this very thing. And without IoT sensors or apps. Grandparents know it all. Silos: fresh but dry. The third lesson is taught to us silos and traditional barns. To store grain, a dry and cold microclimate must be created, in order to stop fungi, bacteria and insects that can rot the grain. When the grain is wet, the dough breathes, generates heat and creates pockets where the temperature rises and moisture condenses; If there is no ventilation, the pile becomes a breeding ground that can ruin tons of harvest. The solution is as simple as creating aeration ramps at the base and airlocks – small windows – along the walls that allow air to travel through the bulk, equalizing temperatures and removing steam upwards. It is the chimney effect but on the contrary: if you leave the ventilation openings open, the hot outside air enters through these ducts, rises through the mass of grain and heats it from within, forcing the openings to be sealed well once the cereal is dry and cold. Domestic science, with convection c. This whole repertoire of split doors, thick walls, and silos with eyes works because it takes advantage of three basic ideas of fluid physics: hot air rises, cold air falls, and air moves from areas of higher pressure to areas of lower pressure. End. The cross ventilation —that is, opening opposite openings so that air crosses the home—relies on pressure differences between facades and the orientation of the wind, while the chimney effect uses vertical corridors (patios, stairs, door openings) so that hot air rises and sucks in cooler air from below. In research On traditional patio houses, it has been measured how two patios with different temperatures activate a convection current that keeps the main rooms within comfortable ranges, without a single air conditioning machine. Each and every passive ventilation strategy involves some cooling, because “convection helps dissipate the heat accumulated inside as long as the openings and volumes are well thought out.” In the end, my grandfather’s split door didn’t hack anything, it was just properly installed. Two hundred years ago there were no engineers INTA in San Pablo de los Montes or in Quintanar de la Orden, but there were people with heat … Read more

If the question is how to avoid heat stroke in summer, in Japan they have an increasingly popular answer: thermal bracelets

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It happened ago just over a year. Montserrat Aguilar had completed her day as a cleaning service worker in Barcelona when, already at home, collapsed and died. He had spent hours sweeping the streets of Raval in the sun on a day when temperatures in Barcelona exceeded 35ºC. Although at the beginning of 2026 the family I was still waiting based on the results of the final autopsy, his death unleashed a intense (and bitter) debate about the conditions faced by workers who, like her, walk the streets during heat waves. This year in Barcelona they wanted to cure their health with technology well known in Japan: bracelets capable of anticipating heat strokes. What has happened? that in full extreme heat wavewith the thermometer exceeding 40ºC In Barcelona, ​​the Barcelona City Council has decided to reinforce the security of the operators who provide public services on the street using technology. A few weeks ago he distributed 1,400 bracelets thermal among the staff responsible for keeping the city clean, providing public lighting and taking care of the garden areas. Is it the only measure? No. The Newspaper precise other measures with which Barcelona wants to prevent extreme temperatures from taking their toll on those who work on the street. For example, adapting the workday of gardeners in summer, advancing the start and end times to avoid the most dangerous periods, or adopting special protocols, designed for the dog days. Is it enough? No. Sensors and protocols are welcome, but unions insist they are not enough. “Non-exposure is the best prevention,” claims Carlos del Barrio, from CCOO, in The Newspaper. Workers’ representatives recall that “no measure is sufficient on its own” and demand greater investment to, among other things, add air conditioning to cars. Without going any further, the Commissions remember that a relevant part of the fleet is still not acclimatized and there are even vehicles (such as irrigation vehicles) that have the engine located right under the seat, something not very desirable in August. How do the bracelets work? They basically fit the operator’s wrist and control their temperature. When they detect that it rises too high and approaches dangerous levels, it emits a signal (vibrates and lights up) so you can take action. In Barcelona has it happened before. When this happens and the thermal bracelet issues its warning, the operator must stop, find a shady place, drink water and inform his supervisor. The bracelet itself will inform you with a light signal (green, in this case) when you are ready to continue. In the specific case of Barcelona, ​​Parks and Gardens has invested almost 60,000 euros in sensors from the company Metalco, devices designed to warn the user “two levels before” of heat stroke. “It is set to activate the alarm when the deep temperature reaches approximately 38ºC.” That is the general guideline. In practice, the sensor must take into account the conditions of each user. The Department of the Interior has also opted for a similar solution, with devices for the Mossos and firefighters. Is it something new? Thermal bracelets have been used for a long time. And they are certainly not exclusive to Catalonia or Spain. As I remembered a few days ago The Confidential There is a Japanese company that has been dedicated to them for a few years now: Biodata Bankcreated in 2018 and with headquarters in Tokyo. Its catalog includes Canaria+, a bracelet designed to detect “subtle changes in thermal stress” and that helps the wearer control their rest, hydration and food. When the sensor detects that the body is having difficulty dissipating heat, it issues a warning with light, sound and vibration. The moment it thinks the risk has disappeared, it reports again with a green light. “We felt it was necessary to have a system in place and take action before a person collapsed,” explains the company’s CEO, Takeshi Anzai. Regarding his bracelet, he clarifies that “the algorithm adapts” to whoever uses it, although it starts from four levels. The first is free of danger, with the temperature below 37ºC. The second rises to a maximum of 38.3ºC and reveals a “latent risk.” With the third (37.7-39ºC, depending on the person) the alerts go off. The last, the most critical, ranges from 38.7 to 40ºC. Is it only used in Spain? At all. In fact Japan is another good example. Last year the World Economic Forum actually dedicated an extensive report to the “lessons” that the country offers to overcome extreme heat waves and among its resources included wrist sensors designed to detect sudden increases in body temperature and, thus, prevent heat stroke. One of the organizations that has opted for them there is the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, which has distributed thermal bracelets among elderly people with reduced mobility, teachers and students who go to public schools and certain workers who have to work outdoors. “In Japan last year the number of people urgently transported due to heat stroke exceeded 100,000. In cities like Tokyo, the demand for ambulances became so high that authorities issued alerts asking the population to make appropriate use of emergencies,” remember Anzai. Images | Barcelona City Council 1 and 2 and Biodata Bank In Xataka | The French are so desperate about the heat wave that they have started painting the outside of their houses with chalk

after the “infernal” heat comes the fire

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On the night of July 7 to 8, a 22-year-old volunteer firefighter died when a rock fell while trying to put out a forest fire in the commune of Planay, in the Tour du Merle massif. “Everything must burn”, said Ignacio Villaverdeinactive forest firefighter. And he is right, however, until very recently that point in the French Alps did not appear on fire danger maps. It is true that France is not yet experiencing its worst year of fires, but the flames have already devastated almost three times as much as in 2025 at this time of the year and we are at the beginning of July. With another heat wave knocking on the doors. What is happening? To put things in context, the modern record for fires in France occurred in 2022. It was about 66,000 hectares. Now the counter is at about 14,500 hectares. However, it wouldn’t be fair to compare a full season with a nascent one. Above all, because this year France (and thanks to the three heat waves that are almost in a chain) has started to burn much earlier than normal. As explained the Prime Minister, Sébastien Lecornu, That they are not in record global numbers does not mean that there are precedents for what they are experiencing. France is learning what heat is. We already know that on July 7, the 41.5 °C in Dordogne and Aude; that on the 8th, 67 departments were on orange alert and that Météo-France placed 47 at high fire risk. The French also know this (and better than anyone). What they don’t know and are starting to learn is that “a few days of heat wave” is not the same as a hot summer. In the second case, things change and what was not dangerous before becomes a bomb box. What was foliage last year is fuel today. And in fact, it affects us all.. Because, although it is easy to draw a parallel between what is happening here and what is happening in France, the truth is that the fires are already affecting us: the closure of the A9 hitchhiker, the evacuated campsites in Catalonia and Castellón and until the Tour de France (which banned the public in its third stage) They are clear signs of a problem that is affecting us in real time. The future that knocks at the door. Unexpectedly, France has become the great laboratory of how climate change can make life impossible for Europe with hardly any effort and in a very short time. It’s not just the blinds, chalk or yogurt: France is exposed to a good number of problems for which it is not prepared. The heat, they say, will last until the middle of the month, with a possible peak around the 14th of this month. So everything points to a long season. And the problems in France have only just begun. Image | Guillaume Jauseau In Xataka | “There they also reach 40 degrees and the trains are not cancelled”: Germany and France need to imitate Spain to survive the heat

the Hisense Series 5i smart washer-dryer arrives in Spain with heat pump and AI technology

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Renewing the main appliances in the house always involves a significant outlay, so hunting for a launch accompanied by cutting-edge technology is the perfect long-term move. Hisense has just made official the arrival in Spain of its new Series 5i free-standing washer-dryer (model WD511245BBRH). This model stands out for introducing efficient heat pump technology in an all-in-one format. Hisense 12 kg/1400 rpm Kitchen Fit washer dryer – WD5I1245BBRH Black The price could vary. We earn commission from these links Maximum energy efficiency combined with Artificial Intelligence The great revolution of this Hisense Series 5i lies in its heat pump drying system. Unlike conventional washer-dryers, this model uses a closed circuit that reuses the heat generated. This allows clothes to be dried at much milder temperatures, protecting the most delicate fabrics and achieving impeccable efficiency: it has a Class A label, which allows it to be more efficient than required in washing or in a combined washing and drying cycle. It is designed for demanding homes or large families, as it offers a generous capacity of 12 kg for washing and 8 kg for drying. All this under a design called iFitdesigned to be perfectly integrated flush with the kitchen or laundry room furniture. Furthermore, it comes equipped with AI Super Wash & Dryan ecosystem of 13 smart sensors that automatically measure the weight of the laundry or the dirt in the water to adjust the exact energy and time consumption without you having to configure anything. For everyday use, it has life-saving functions such as Washing and Drying program 49′capable of leaving a kilo of clothing ready in less than an hour, or the ECO Refresh technology, ideal for removing odors and wrinkles from barely worn garments using a minimum amount of water. Additionally, to celebrate its arrival in the Spanish market, Hisense is launching a refund campaign valid from July 1 to November 30, 2026. By purchasing its new flagship (this new washer-dryer) you can get a refund of 150 euros. ⚡ IN SUMMARY: new Hisense Series 5i washer dryer ✅ THE BEST Heat pump technology: a highly sought after feature in all-in-one washer dryers that drastically reduces electrical consumption and wear and tear on clothing. Massive capacity (12kg/8kg): More than enough space for duvets, full family laundry, and a design that doesn’t protrude from the countertop. ❌ THE WORST High-end starting price… As it is a recently launched model and with cutting-edge technology (heat pump and AI sensors), its initial retail cost is higher than that of traditional condensation models. Drying times with heat pump… Although it consumes much less light and is more efficient, heat pump drying processes tend to be slightly longer than traditional systems based on high-temperature resistance. 💡 BUY IT IF… You are looking for maximum savings on your electricity bill in the long term, you tend to use very large washing machines and you value the convenience of having a smart appliance decide the optimal parameters for you. ⛔ DON’T BUY IT IF… You have a very tight budget to start with and prefer a basic washing machine without smart drying functions or AI automation. Other Hisense appliances that may interest you Hisense RF632N4WIE – No Frost Stainless Steel French Door Combi Refrigerator The price could vary. We earn commission from these links Hisense WF1I7022BWJ – 7Kg Washing Machine, Class A The price could vary. We earn commission from these links Some of the links in this article are affiliated and may provide a benefit to Xataka. In case of non-availability, offers may vary. Images | Hisense In Xataka | Connected dishwasher buying guide: what to expect from its intelligent functions, best recommendations and models from 300 euros In Xataka | Is a heat pump or condensing dryer better? Differences and keys to choose

The war and the unbearable heat have led Europe to unprecedented spending. And Türkiye has become the perfect supermarket

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For centuries, in the Mediterranean, white was much more than an aesthetic question: whitewashed facades, light roofs and narrow streets helped reflect solar radiation and keeping homes several degrees cooler long before the invention of air conditioning. Two thousand years later, Europe once again discovers that fighting the heat has become a priority. Europe is paying two unexpected bills. For decades, Europe built its prosperity on one premise: that the continent would enjoy a relatively stable environment, both in climate and security. That scenario has changed at high speed. Heat waves are increasingly intensewar has returned to the continent, and both phenomena are forcing governments to spend billions in two needs that previously seemed secondary: cooling their cities and strengthening their armies. Air conditioning as critical infrastructure. Heat waves have ceased to be exceptional episodes and have become an economic factor permanent. Schools, hospitals, companies, data centers and industries need air conditioning systems capable of maintaining their activity even during extreme temperatures. Air conditioning has ceased to be a domestic luxury and has become a essential infrastructurewhile countries in central and northern Europe discover a need for which they never prepared their buildings. Türkiye had been preparing for years. It happens that, while Europe was beginning to discover the problem, Türkiye already had a powerful air conditioning industryextensive manufacturing capacity and an enormous logistical advantage over Asian competitors. The result is that Turkish exports of air conditioning, heat pumps and other refrigeration systems they are growing to the heat (pun intended) of a continent that needs to modernize millions of buildings and also do so under criteria of energy efficiency and sustainability. The other great urgency: rearmament. I counted the weekend the Washington Post that the climate is not the only front that is strengthening the Turkish position. The progressive withdrawal of the United States from European security and increase in military spending have placed the Turkish arms industry in a privileged position. Its drones, armored vehicles, ammunition and other defensive systems have demonstrated competitiveness, availability and attractive prices just when many European countries are looking for new suppliers to accelerate their rearmament. From awkward partner to supplier. For years, Türkiye was viewed with suspicion within NATO for the purchase of the Russian S-400 systemthe tensions with Greece, its policy in Syria or the temporary blockage of Sweden’s entry into the Alliance. However, the context has changed profoundly. Europe needs weapons. It needs to control migratory flows. And now it also needs technology to adapt to a much more hostile climate. That combination has notably reduced public criticism of Ankara and reinforced its diplomatic weight within the Alliance. Trump and Erdogan’s position. Plus: the good relationship between Donald Trump and Erdogan has added another layer to this change of scenario. The American president has publicly praised the Turkish leader and has left the door open to unblocking old disagreements, such as the one related with F-35 fighters. At the same time, the upcoming NATO summit in Ankara will serve to showcase Turkey as one of the essential actors in the new Western security architecture. The great European paradox has a clear winner. Thus, the two great crises that today condition the future of Europe seem to have no relationship with each other. One comes from the atmosphere in form of heat waves increasingly extreme. The other comes from the deterioration of the geopolitical scenario and the return of war to the continent. However, both converge on the same point: they force Europe to buy what it needs most. And few economies seem so well placed to take advantage of both trends. like the turkish. While the continent seeks how to protect itself from the heat and military uncertainty, Türkiye is establishing itself as one of the major providers of solutions to both problems. Image | Wikimedia In Xataka | The map that splits Europe into two when the heat arrives: where there is air conditioning and where there isn’t In Xataka | The Rhine is running out of water due to heat waves. And that is a logistical and energy disaster for Europe

The networks are filling up with maps that promise the end of the heat. One thing is what we would like and another, very different, is what we know

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There is always a time in the summer when people start to get tired of the heat. And one notices it because social networks begin to fill with weather maps saying “be careful, here comes the cool weather.” The difference this year is not only that this glut begins in July (we already have two possible thermal reliefs in the running!), but that many of the maps have AI behind them. First, the good news. We are, as it seemsin the middle of the second heat wave of 2026. The combo (a ridge over the peninsula, a DANA to the west and very dry air) is a classic. The result is also: up to 42 degrees in the Guadalquivir valley and peaks close to 44 in the south of Valencia. Tropical nights are for everyone. AEMET dates the end “probably on Wednesday the 8th, without ruling out Thursday the 9th”, with the declines becoming generalized from the southwest. And it warns of something important: there is a “high degree of uncertainty.” Uncertainty, yes; but after five days, less and less. And what about the end of the month? In addition to the nearest ‘relief’, there are other maps floating around. One of them is a pass of the European Center AIFSv2 which suggests that for the second fortnight all of Europe will experience a few days of general cold weather. Obviously, a single exit so far into the future does not say much. However, it is interesting because this model (based on AI) is only a couple of months old and is trying to ‘democratize’ long-term modeling. That doesn’t mean I’ve gotten it yet. The best example happened a couple of days ago. he ECMWF’s own weekly newsletter, July 3gave a warm anomaly in the following three weeks, with a possible third wave in Europe. Two days later, another pass from the same center announced the opposite. And it makes sense, because these are not failures: meteorology is something extremely complex and not all of our calculation capacity is capable of containing it within 15 days. Why should we care about all this? Because summer is looking bad. AEMET and ECMWF give a globally warm july and a summer with the warm tertile almost discounted. It is true that beating 2025 as the hottest summer in the series is unlikely, 20-25%; but it is not necessary to turn our days into a slow agony waiting for autumn. Forecasts taken out of context are going to be the order of the day. So… what can we expect? A respite at the end of the week and little else: although it seems that the omens of persistence of the ridges on the continent are fading, the heat is not going anywhere in the medium term. Image | meteologix In Xataka | While AEMET fears the second great heat wave of the year, meteorologists warn that “we have to prepare for harsher summers”

“With increasingly frequent heat waves, more importance could be given to urban trees”

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The asphalt radiates heat, the air becomes dense and thermometers shoot up, and anyone who has walked through a big city in the middle of summer knows the abysmal difference between crossing a square concrete in full sun and take refuge under the canopy of a wooded park. The problem is that, for decades, modern urban planning has treated trees and green areas as mere “urban furniture” or a dispensable ornament to beautify the streets. A big change comes with the climate emergency that we have above our heads, and the scientific community points to the need to make a radical paradigm shift. They specifically propose that urban forests are no longer seen as something merely decorative, but rather that they must be protected and financed with the same priority as the electrical grid, sewage or telecommunications. Under investigation. A published essay At the beginning of the month in PLOS Climate has dotted the i’s after years of scientific evidence and launched a petition to governments to legislate on urban forests, considering them as essential infrastructure for climate resilience. This positioning, which functions as a roadmap, does not emerge from nowhere, but is directly aligned with the most serious warnings of recent years, including the IPCC 6th Assessment Report. In this document, the United Nations already pointed out sustainable urban planning and green infrastructure (such as parks, urban forests and vegetation covers) as key and irreplaceable adaptation and mitigation measures against global warming. Our shields. To understand why scientists urge legally shielding trees, just look at the physical data. As stated in a recent academic review on urban forests as “nature-based solutions”, the presence of forest mass In cities, it directly attacks two of the worst symptoms of climate change, which are heat waves and torrential rains. This is because trees mitigate the dreaded “urban heat island” effect through evapotranspiration and thermal shading, dramatically reducing surface temperatures. At the same time, they act like giant sponges by acting as critical structures in regulating stormwater, preventing catastrophic flooding, and acting as natural filters that improve air quality. Public health. The impact of trees goes far beyond thermodynamics, since various studies compiled in publications such as the one published in ScienceDirect have demonstrated that the lack of trees is, literally, a public health problem. For example, an article published in 2023 shelled the physiological, psychological and immunological mechanisms by which green cities transform our health, reducing chronic stress and improving our immune response. But the evidence on biodiversity and cardiovascular health is still impressive, since the evidence indicates that being exposed to diverse urban ecosystems reduces the incidence of heart disease. The experts. Daniel Jato, professor of Engineering and Environmental Management at the UIV, pointed out in statements to SMC that “in the current context, marked by increasingly frequent, intense and early heat waves, perhaps the role of urban trees could have been emphasized even more.” Images | sq lim In Xataka | César Franco, engineer: “In Spain we are not immune to the effects of climate change, we need to intensify conservation”

The Rhine is running out of water due to heat waves. And that is a logistical and energy disaster for Europe

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A new wave of extreme heat is hitting the heart of the European continent, and the consequences go far beyond the records in thermometers or the fact to see raised tram tracks. The Rhine River, Western Europe’s most important river highway, is seeing its water levels plummet and the result is that a logistical bottleneck is being generated that threatens the supply of fuel and fundamental raw materials for Europe. The worry. The alarm has begun to be raised when it has been detected that the barges that navigate the river can barely carry half of their capacity, putting the supply of an important part of Europe in check. And all because of these heat waves that we are experiencing in Europe. To understand the magnitude of the problem, you have to look at how inland navigation works, since the Rhine is not limited to water crossing Germany, France, Switzerland and the Netherlands, but is an industrial artery. Literally, coal for thermal power plants, chemicals for industrial giants, oil or automotive components are transported through this river. The drought. When the flow of the river begins to decrease, its depth also decreases, and this collides with vessels that have a critical threshold. This means that if the water drops below a certain level at key points such as the famous Kaub bottleneck in Germany, captains are forced to drastically reduce their load to avoid running aground on the river bottom. This makes load 50 or even 30% of the boat’s capacity It is not an exaggeration, but a physical necessity. This triggers a domino effect that means that, if a ship carries half the load, it takes a second to do the same work. And since there are no infinite ships, transportation prices skyrocket and goods either do not arrive on time or become very expensive. It’s not just the Rhine. Although the exact impact figures should always be taken with caution because they vary greatly depending on the stretch of the river and the type of vessel, the general diagnosis is incontestable. Here the Joint Research Center of the European Commission has studied in-depth how limitations due to low water levels impact European rivers. Its scientific framework perfectly explains the current collapse, since low levels not only reduce cargo capacity, but completely alter continental logistics flows, drastically increasing operating costs. The reasons. Here the different institutions are clear that the problem lies in the lack of rain in spring and the lower amount of snow accumulated in the Alps during the winter, which causes the river to lose its natural “reserve” for the summer. But also, the Rhine is clearly warming. This not only has clear economic effects, but also serious ecological impacts on the river’s fauna, which in turn forces additional restrictions to be imposed. The new normal. What we are seeing this year does not seem like an event that remains a simple anecdote to tell our grandchildren, but rather the different evidence indicates that seeing low flow will be increasingly frequent due to climate change. The proposed solution involves the use of AI to predict exactly when we will see these very low flows to optimize the supply chain, or simply build flat-bottomed boats with better drafts to be able to continue transporting cargo when the river is at even lower levels of flow. Images | Wikipedia In Xataka | Global warming has stepped on the accelerator at an unprecedented rate and we are getting closer to the point of no return

While AEMET fears the second great heat wave of the year, meteorologists warn that “we have to prepare for harsher summers”

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At this point in July and with another heat wave showing its teeth starting next week, we can already say that high-latitude blockages are altering the forecast for the summer. And they alter it for the worse: meteorologists They take it for granted since the situation is going to be quite persistent. The data is worrying, but as meteorologist Mercedes Martín says that we have to “prepare for harsher summers” does not mean that “we have to resign ourselves.” “There has never been so much information available as now and, however, it is not always able to transform what we think, feel or make decisions,” explained to National Geographic Spain. And he is somewhat right “it is not to diminish the urgency of the climate crisis, but to prevent the message from always being trapped in the same tone of alarm.” But what exactly does that mean? There are reasons for alarm… Of course there are. Spain has warmed around 1.75 °C since 1961approximately double the global average, and summer is moving dangerously towards 2 °C. Since 1975 there have been registered 12 heat waves in Juneand half are from 2015 onwards: if between 1975 and 2000 there were two, between 2001 and 2025 there were ten. The March 2022 superclimate left PM10 peaks of 3,070 µg/m³ in the southeast. That is, about 68 times the WHO daily limit. And, if that were not enough, the Mediterranean is warming at an especially rapid rate (up to three times faster than other bodies of water). The problem is that we get used to this exceptionality very quickly. And yes, “problem” is the word. This has long since ceased to be something from 2100. June 2026 has been the second warmest June since 1961with an anomaly of 3.2 °C and the MoMo system estimated about 900 deaths attributable to heat that month alone. In France those figures have been much worse. That is, we are not talking about projections or statistics: we are talking about people dying every year. Our inability to translate climate data into accepted and acceptable policies costs lives. And what do we do? Because, as Martín points out, the permanent catastrophic tone saturates, tires and sometimes paralyzes more than it mobilizes. But, on the other hand, turning down the volume just when the numbers are getting worse (the worst fire year in three decades, the second warmest June, hundreds of deaths, etc…) can be read as subtracting urgency. The answer is simpler than it seems. Because, whether we like it or not, the big problem with climate communication has never been drama. It has been the enormous gap between knowing and doing. Although there are many things we can intuit, the truth is that climate change is putting us on an unprecedented path. These uncertainties are added to the difficulty of predicting anything related to the weather and generate the feeling of doing politics blindly. But it is not true: that France have 50 degree exits for the next few weeks is exactly the kind of thing we would expect. That figure will not be reached, it is true: but it contains almost everything. We just have to realize Image | Benbaso – Xataka In Xataka | Europe enjoys the cleanest skies in half a century. And that’s one of the reasons why this summer is burning up.

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