EU needs to urgently adapt to climate change

摘要

There is no doubt: climate change is upon us and it is happening much faster than anticipated and impacting on all regions of Europe. It is therefore no longer enough to take action to attenuate the impact but there is an urgent need for adaptation. The message delivered by Jacqueline McGlade, executive director of the European Environment Agency, to EU environment ministers during an informal session in Prague, on 14 and 15 April, was unambiguous and was received loud and clear by the Council. "A lot more can be done at European level," emphasised Martin Bursik, the Czech minister and president in office of the Council, thereby confirming the Council's desire to take concrete action in this area. "We need to show the European population that we are prepared to tackle climate change," he added.