Italy expands red heat alerts

Italy’s Ministry of Health on Thursday expanded its highest-level heat alert from seven to 15 major cities as extreme temperatures continue to grip the country.

Cities including Bari, Genoa and Palermo joined Bologna, Florence, Rome and Turin under the maximum alert level, CE Report quotes AGERPRES.

On Friday, Milan is also expected to move to a red alert, bringing the total to 17 of the 27 major cities monitored under Italy’s national heat warning system.

A red alert (Level 3) signals a heatwave emergency marked by persistently high temperatures and a significant health risk for the entire population, including young and healthy individuals.

Over the coming days, temperatures are forecast to range from 36-37 degrees Celsius in Milan and Rome to as high as 42-43 degrees Celsius in Sardinia and Sicily.

Scientists say the climate crisis, driven by greenhouse gas emissions from human activities, is increasing the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events such as heatwaves, droughts, severe storms and floods.

While greenhouse gas emissions come from many sources, the primary driver of global warming remains the burning of fossil fuels—including oil, natural gas and coal—which continue to generate enormous profits for major global energy companies, ANSA noted.

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