“This is our wake up call”: EU crisis chief confronts climate deniers after devastating French fires
Usagevpn.com – “This is our wake up call” — European Commissioner for crisis management Hadja Lahbib has firmly dismissed claims by climate sceptics that Europe’s increasingly destructive wildfire seasons are merely the result of naturally hot summers. Describing the blazes currently sweeping across southern Europe as “the biggest wake-up call” in years, Lahbib emphasized that the continent can no longer ignore the reality of climate change. “Climate change is not knocking at our door. It is here,” the Commissioner told Euronews in an exclusive interview conducted from France, where she personally assessed the damage caused by the ongoing fires.
Confronting the Deniers
“They (climate deniers) should come here and see the situation, open their eyes,” Lahbib stated with conviction. Her comments echo those of EU competition chief Teresa Ribera, who told Euronews that climate deniers are “giving alcohol to alcoholics and telling them it’s okay to drive.” In a separate interview with Euronews, Ribera described the denial as “dangerous and stupid.” The Belgian Commissioner made these remarks after touring the fire-ravaged Gironde region by helicopter, where more than 42,000 hectares have been destroyed in what French authorities describe as one of the country’s worst wildfire disasters in decades.
Her comments come as wildfires continue to burn across southern Europe, with France, Greece, Turkey and Tunisia all requesting European emergency assistance in recent weeks. The growing number of cross-border requests reflects what Brussels increasingly views as a continent-wide climate security challenge rather than a series of isolated national emergencies. For more information on EU emergency response mechanisms, visit [euronews.com](http://www.euronews.com/2026/07/31/this-is-our-wake-up-call-eu-crisis-chief-slams-climate-deniers-after-french-fires).
Prevention Over Reaction
Lahbib argued that Europe must focus not only on expanding its firefighting capacity but also on investing more heavily in prevention and preparedness. She defended the European Commission’s proposal to allocate €10.7 billion for preparedness measures under the EU’s next long-term budget, arguing that Europe must become better at anticipating disasters instead of simply responding to them. Lahbib noted that this year’s wildfire season began unusually early, with the Netherlands — not typically considered a wildfire hotspot — becoming the first country to activate the EU Civil Protection Mechanism on 30 April.
“The season started on 30 April,” she said. “We don’t know yet how it will end.”
Piotr Borkowski, Executive Director of the European State Forest Association, said the outlook for the Mediterranean, particularly the Iberian Peninsula, remains “very negative.” “Early summer heatwaves have caused extreme moisture loss in vegetation, making it much more susceptible to ignition and allowing fires to spread rapidly and intensely,” Borkowski told Euronews.
“This points to a high likelihood of extreme wildfires developing, at least until the end of the summer season.” Borkowski said the current wildfire season is not being driven by any single new factor, but by long-term structural problems. “The issue is structural and territorial,” he said. “The problem lies in the abandonment of traditional landscape management and primary land uses such as forestry, agriculture and livestock farming, alongside the evolving climate conditions.”
What This Means for Europe
The crisis has prompted calls for a fundamental shift in how Europe approaches climate-related disasters. Experts warn that without significant investment in prevention, the continent could face even more severe wildfire seasons in the coming years. The activation of the EU Civil Protection Mechanism by multiple countries simultaneously highlights the need for coordinated continental response strategies.
As the fire season continues, European leaders are urging citizens and policymakers alike to recognize that climate change is no longer a future threat — it is a present reality demanding immediate action. The question is no longer whether climate change is real, but whether Europe is prepared to face its consequences.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the EU Civil Protection Mechanism? A: It is a framework that allows EU member states to request and receive assistance from other member states during emergencies, including natural disasters like wildfires.
Q: How much funding is being proposed for disaster preparedness? A: The European Commission has proposed allocating €10.7 billion for preparedness measures under the EU’s next long-term budget.
Q: Which countries are currently affected by wildfires? A: France, Greece, Turkey, and Tunisia have all requested European emergency assistance in recent weeks.
Q: Why is the Netherlands experiencing wildfires? A: The Netherlands became the first country to activate the EU Civil Protection Mechanism on 30 April, indicating that climate change is affecting regions beyond traditional wildfire hotspots.
