Europe is facing one of the most severe heatwaves in recent memory, underscoring the accelerating impacts of climate change. Rising temperatures are not a seasonal anomaly but a systemic challenge with profound consequences for public health, agriculture, and urban infrastructure.
Healthcare systems are strained as vulnerable groups — the elderly, outdoor workers, and those in inadequate housing — face heightened risks. Drought, water scarcity, and energy demand further expose how climate extremes deepen existing inequalities, with marginalized populations disproportionately affected.
Adaptation also raises ethical concerns. Unequal access to resources and reliance on energy-intensive cooling illustrate the need for fair and sustainable responses. Yet global efforts remain fractured. At the United Nations General Assembly 2025, former U.S. President Donald Trump questioned both climate science and the value of multilateral cooperation, highlighting the political barriers to collective action.
At the Summer Peace University 2025, these tensions will be examined in the session on Climate Change and Global Justice. Discussions will focus on strategies to build resilience that balance sustainability, development, and justice, making heatwaves both a warning and a call to strengthen collective responsibility in a warming world.