Story perspectives

Europe Endures Record Heat, Wildfires as Renewables Hit 50%

4/29/2026

Summary

Story summary

In 2025, Europe’s sea surface temperature hit its highest annual average for the fourth year, with 86% of the region facing marine heatwaves.
Renewable sources supplied nearly half of EU electricity in 2025, with solar power reaching a record 13% share.
Wildfires burned 1.034 million hectares in 2025, the largest area on record, while glaciers—including Iceland’s and the Greenland Ice Sheet—lost significant mass, with Greenland shedding 139 gigatonnes of ice.

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Story summary

In 2025, Europe’s sea surface temperature hit its highest annual average for the fourth year, with 86% of the region facing marine heatwaves.
Renewable sources supplied nearly half of EU electricity in 2025, with solar power reaching a record 13% share.
Wildfires burned 1.034 million hectares in 2025, the largest area on record, while glaciers—including Iceland’s and the Greenland Ice Sheet—lost significant mass, with Greenland shedding 139 gigatonnes of ice.