European Day of Remembrance for the Victims of the Climate Crisis: Honouring those affected by extreme weather events
The images of Thessaly in the aftermath of Storm Daniel and of the Dadia Forest following the devastating wildfires of 2023 remain deeply etched in our collective memory. On the European Day of Remembrance for the Victims of the Climate Crisis (15 July), the European Climate Pact reminds us that behind every extreme weather event are human lives, local communities, and natural ecosystems that bear the consequences.
In recent years, Greece has been on the front line of the climate crisis. The floods caused by Storm Daniel in Thessaly and the extensive wildfires in Evros, which severely affected, among other areas, the ecologically unique Dadia–Lefkimi–Soufli Forest National Park, left behind loss of life, destroyed homes and livelihoods, deep scars on local communities, and significant damage to the natural environment.
The scientific community is clear that climate change is increasing the frequency and intensity of many extreme weather events, including prolonged heatwaves, heavy rainfall, and the conditions that fuel the outbreak and spread of large-scale wildfires. Adapting to climate change, alongside reducing greenhouse gas emissions, is essential for protecting people, infrastructure, and natural ecosystems.
The European Climate Pact calls on citizens, local communities, organisations, and businesses to use this day not only as a moment of remembrance but also as an opportunity for dialogue and action. Prevention, preparedness, and adaptation to the impacts of climate change are shared responsibility and an investment in a safer, more resilient future.
As Dr Ourania Konstantanti, Laboratory Teaching Staff at the Department of Biology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, and European Climate Pact Ambassador, explains:
“We are living through climate change, it is here. We are already experiencing its consequences today, in the present. Europe is a continent increasingly confronted with the impacts of the climate crisis, with extreme weather events affecting human lives, societies, and ecosystems. Alongside the tragic loss of human life, we must not overlook the losses suffered by wildlife and plant life. Nature has sustained life on our planet for millions of years, and protecting it is inseparably linked to our own health and quality of life.
Each of us can contribute, adding our own small but meaningful piece to the effort. A healthier planet means better health, a higher quality of life, and a safer future for everyone.”
Through awareness-raising, collaboration, and active citizen engagement, the European Climate Pact supports initiatives that contribute both to climate change mitigation and to helping societies adapt to its impacts.
