Lisbon, Portugal: Castles, palaces and other tourist attractions are closed by government order as 80% of the country faces an "exceptional" risk of fires. Temperatures of 47C are expected in the days ahead. 

Galicia, Spain: The streets are deserted as residents shelter inside during an unusual "red alert" in the north-western region. 

Nimes, France: Authorities have cancelled today's traditional Bastille Day fireworks amid fears of dangerous sparks. 

Across Europe, the temperatures are rising. In the UK, the heatwave is expected to reach its peak on Monday. A rare amber warming means there is a danger to life or of serious illness. 

Now, some forecasters believe that the country could face its hottest day ever early next week, just three years after the previous record - 38.7C - was set. 

But for scientists, the record-breaking temperatures are no surprise. In 2019, research revealed that a devastating heatwave was made five times more likely by the climate crisisAs humans release more greenhouse gases into the atmosphere (such as by burning fossil fuels), this slowly raises the Earth's average temperature. In addition to global warming, this also makes extreme weather more likely. . 

It confirmed what many people already suspected: climate change is making Europe's heat waves more frequent, more intense and longer-lasting. Since the industrial era, the world has already warmed by 1.1C. 

"The current heatwave is a dangerous reminder of the accelerating impacts of global warming," warns Dr Michael Byrne of the University of St Andrews. By 2050, London could feel like Barcelona. 

"Climate change is happening here and now," declares Oxford professor Friederike Otto. "It is not a problem for our kids only." 

There is no doubt: Europe will face more heatwaves in the years to come. The continent's five hottest summers have all occurred in the past two decades. 

The worst of these was in 2003, when the heat killed 70,000 peopleAccording to research from 2008. On one Monday that year, 3,000 people died in Paris alone.. This is because we struggle to regulate body temperature in extreme heat, especially if we are not used to it. Babies, old people and those with underlying medical conditions are all particularly vulnerable.

And Europe was simply not built to withstand such high temperatures. Most homes do not have air conditioning. Towns and cities are densely packed, which makes them even hotter. Roads and railways begin to melt.

"Extreme heat is a severe threat to public health that the UK is woefullyVery badly. The Red Cross warns that heat-related deaths in the UK could triple in the next 30 years.  underprepared to deal with," adds Byrne. "We urgently need to overhaul infrastructure to keep us cool and healthy in a rapidly warming world."

Across Europe, struggling cities are racing to adapt. French officials are offering free access to swimming pools. In Vienna, water spray misting stations have been set up in designated "cool streets" as "outdoor living rooms" for city residents.

Other towns are planting more trees to provide shade and lower air temperatures. Barcelona, already one of the greenest cities in Europe, has a 20-year tree master plan. 

Scientists are clear: a solution to the sweltering nights must be found. And for now, there is no sign of the heatwaves abatingEasing off or subsiding. Experts expect heatwaves to become more common..

Yes: Europe has learnt the lessons from 2003. From tree-lined streets to water fountains, cities are making plans to cool down public spaces and help residents live in the heat.

No: This problem is not going away, and the temperatures are only going to get more fierce. And electricity-guzzling adaptations like air conditioning units are only going to make the problem worse.

Or... Instead of adapting to higher temperatures, Europe should take the heatwave as a sign that it must get serious about reducing its emissions. We should not wait for climate change to get worse.