Greenpeace uses thermal-imaging cameras to expose the extreme heat in the city of Madrid and calls for urgent measures to adapt to extreme temperatures

Madrid, 1 August 2024 – As the third heat wave in just 12 days begins, Greenpeace is documenting several emblematic sites in Madrid with a thermal-imaging camera to expose the high urban temperatures resulting from climate change. Greenpeace also took measurements in vegetated and shaded areas to show vegetation’s effectiveness to reduce temperatures – an essential measure to protect the population, especially the most vulnerable groups, and to help cities adapt to extreme heat. The organization points out that oil companies like Repsol are responsible for climate change. These companies continue to increase their profits year after year without taking responsibility for their role as drivers of extreme weather events.

THERMAL IMAGES AVAILABLE HERE.

The thermal cameras used by Greenpeace clearly show these hot spots in Madrid, which are a reflection of what is happening throughout Spain. Thus, in the emblematic Puerta del Sol, without trees or any vegetation after its recent renovation, the cameras measured a temperature of 54.8ºC, while in the nearby Plaza Mayor the temperature reached 63.5ºC. In the Plaza de Callao the thermal camera measured temperatures that did not fall below 65ºC.

In the vicinity of the Prado Museum, temperatures were recorded at around 45 ºC. However, a few meters away, the thermal imaging camera recorded much cooler temperatures, around 27 ºC due to the trees and fountains on the Paseo del Prado.

The presence of mature trees is one of the best measures against extreme heat. Greenpeace has also documented the heat in Plaza Santa Ana, where a project to renovate a car park promoted by Madrid City Council threatens 85% of its trees and which the organization points to as an example of what should not be done in terms of adaptation to climate change. The temperature measured yesterday by Greenpeace was more than 53 ºC in the areas without trees, while in the areas with trees, the temperature was between 15 and 20 ºC better.

Extreme heat causes thousands of deaths every year

Heatwaves are the event that causes the most deaths in Europe. According to the Daily Mortality Monitoring System (MoMo), more than 8,000 people in Spain died from heat in 2022-2023. Spain has the highest increase in death rates from extreme heat in Europe.

Heat affects people particularly in cities, where they are up to six times more vulnerable than in rural areas. Moreover, according to the European Environment Agency, southern European cities are more vulnerable due to a greater urban heat island effect and a lower percentage of green spaces to act as heat buffers.  

Oil companies are responsible for the heat waves that are killing people

While people endure extreme heat, Repsol presented its second quarter results, announcing high revenues and high dividends for its shareholders. There is a direct relationship between these data: the greater probability and virulence of heat waves has been caused by current and historical emissions from major polluters such as Repsol. But as if that were not enough, profit-hungry oil and gas companies are maintaining and even expanding their operations despite the heat, droughts and floods their activities are causing. 

It is time to hold Repsol and other polluting companies to account. After decades of cover-ups and climate denial, oil and gas companies have now chosen to greenwash and delay solutions, while continuing to extract and sell polluting fuels that experts say we cannot afford to burn. We must prepare to phase out fossil fuels. Governments must develop policies that put an end to new fossil fuel drilling and infrastructures, and introduce taxes on oil, gas and coal.

“The record number of extreme hot days go hand in hand with the profits made by the oil companies that cause this extreme weather. It is simply outrageous. These images show the urgency to adapt cities to extreme temperatures and demand that the companies involved take responsibility” said Francisco del Pozo, Greenpeace spokesperson.

Urban greening against extreme heat

With the increasing number and intensity of heatwaves, it is imperative that municipalities develop plans with the necessary measures to become more climate-smart, resilient and equitable communities. 

Urban renaturalization is one of the key measures supported by scientific evidence. Greenpeace photographs show the effectiveness of vegetation in reducing urban temperatures. Studies show that increasing vegetation cover can reduce temperatures by up to 12ºC. 

The data highlights the urgent need to develop committed and binding emission reduction policies that will put an end to the use of fossil fuels that cause climate change and avoid exacerbating the effects of the climate crisis. On the other hand, given the effects that are already being felt and that will be exacerbated in the coming years, there is an urgent need to adapt communities to the heat in order to protect human health.