POLL: Should more be done about global warming as wildfires break out in Greece?

Tourists flee their hotels due to wildfire

Thousands of Britons have been evacuated from the Greek island of Rhodes as wildfires continue to rage for a seventh day. Wildfires have also broken out on Corfu, Evia and Aigio.

Some 19,000 holidaymakers were forced to flee resorts to escape the flames engulfing southern and central parts of Rhodes and thousands more have also been evacuated from 17 settlements in Corfu.

Rhodes deputy mayor Konstantinos Taraslias told state broadcaster ERT on Monday: “We are in the seventh day of the fire and it hasn’t been controlled.”

Southern Europe continues to face temperatures above 40C with scientists claiming that global warming has triggered the heatwave and wildfires.

Research scientist at the National Centre for Atmospheric Science at the University of Reading, Akshay Deoras, told Al Jazeera last week: “Climate change across the globe is increasing the frequency, intensity and duration of heatwaves.”

READ MORE: Brits ‘terrified’ as wildfires continue to ravage picturesque Greek island

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Liberal Democrat Leader Sir Ed Davey said that the wildfires and heatwave across Southern Europe “must act as a wake-up call”.

While foreign office minister Andrew Mitchell told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “We had, just a couple of weeks ago, the hottest day, on Monday, that the world has ever experienced. Those temperatures were then exceeded on the Wednesday for a second weekly record. And then on Thursday the third record in one week. The highest temperatures the planet has ever seen.

“Climate change is real. It is now. And it is essential that the world combats it, and Britain is playing a leading role in doing that.”

The World Meteorological Organization reports that Europe’s average temperature is 2.3C above pre-industrial levels meaning the continent experiences more extreme heat.

So what do YOU think? Should Governments be doing more about global warming? Vote in our poll and join the debate in the comment section below.

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