Why did so many die in Spain? Because Europe still hasn't accepted the realities of extreme weather | Friederike Otto

Scientists have long known that heating the climate with fossil fuel emissions will result in the intensification of floods, storms, heatwaves, drought and wildfires.

Analysis following the floods in Spain found that the climate emergency made the extreme rainfall about 12% more intense and twice as likely.

In Paiporta , where at least 62 people have died, the mayor said floods were not common and “people are not afraid” The changing climate is making once-rare events more common.