DeBriefed 29 May 2026: Europe’s ‘mind-boggling’ May | Indian heat deaths | Nigeria’s solar mini-grids

Europe is experiencing a record-breaking heatwave, with temperatures soaring to new highs in the UK, France, and Portugal. The heatwave has been linked to over a dozen deaths and has triggered blackouts in parts of Italy. This extreme weather event is a stark reminder of the consequences of climate change.

What Happened

• The UK and continental Europe have set "mind-bogglingly crazy" temperature records for May, with the UK smashing a century-old temperature record for the second time in 24 hours.
• The heatwave has been linked to more than a dozen deaths in the UK and France, including from people drowning and suffering heat-related deaths while competing in sporting events.
• The US is now investing more in fossil-fuel power than China, driven by the "data-centre boom" and the rapid expansion of data centres across the nation.

Why It Matters

The heatwave in Europe is a stark reminder of the consequences of climate change, and the need for urgent action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The investment in fossil fuels by the US is a worrying trend, as it undermines efforts to transition to cleaner energy sources.

What Experts Say

"The intense heatwaves we are seeing are a brutal reminder of the reality of climate change." — Simon Stiell, Executive Secretary of UN Climate Change

Key Numbers

• **40.3C: The record May temperature hit in Portugal on Wednesday.
• **3: The number of times the UK has smashed a century-old temperature record in the past 24 hours.

Background

The US's investment in fossil fuels is driven by the "data-centre boom", which has led to a surge in gas investment. The International Energy Agency (IEA) expects US investment in fossil-fuelled power plants to overtake China's in 2026.

What Comes Next

The implications of the US's investment in fossil fuels and the regulatory rollbacks are far-reaching. The EPA's decision to extend the timeline for manufacturers to scale back production of devices that use high-global-warming-potential hydrofluorocarbons as refrigerants will likely lead to increased greenhouse gas pollution. The threat to the EM-DAT disaster database is also a concern, as it provides critical information on extreme weather events and other disasters around the world.

Key Facts

• What: Investment in fossil fuels, regulatory rollbacks, and threats to disaster databases
• When: May 2026
• Where: Europe, US, and globally
• Impact: Increased greenhouse gas pollution, loss of critical disaster data, and undermining of efforts to transition to cleaner energy sources.

What to Watch

The consequences of climate change will continue to be felt, and the need for urgent action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions will only become more pressing. The US's investment in fossil fuels and the regulatory rollbacks will be closely watched, as will the impact of the heatwave on Europe and the threat to the EM-DAT disaster database.