EU Risk Assessment , Warns Continent Unprepared , For Climate Threats.<br />On March 11, the European Environment Agency released <br />its first-ever risk assessment for the EU, warning that <br />the bloc is unprepared for growing climate risks.<br />'The Independent' reports that the agency warned <br />the bloc will be susceptible to more frequent <br />and more punishing extreme weather.<br />The risks include increased wildfires <br />and droughts, in addition to unusual <br />rainfall patterns and more flooding.<br />The risks include increased wildfires <br />and droughts, in addition to unusual <br />rainfall patterns and more flooding.<br />The agency warned the bloc urgently needs<br />to address these issues in order to protect <br />its energy, food, water and health security.<br />The agency warned the bloc urgently needs<br />to address these issues in order to protect <br />its energy, food, water and health security.<br />Leena Ylä-Mononen, the EEA's executive director, <br />warned that these climate threats “are growing <br />faster than our societal preparedness.”.<br />The agency's assessment reportedly <br />identified 36 major climate risks that <br />included threats to ecosystems and economies. .<br />The agency found eight of these issues require urgent<br />attention, including securing relief funds for disasters and <br />protecting people and infrastructure from climate threats.<br />'The Independent' reports that Europe is the <br />fastest-warming continent on Earth, heating up <br />at twice the rate of other regions since the 1980s.<br />The agencyy warns that without <br />decisive action, many of these threats <br />could prove to be catastrophic. .<br />On March 12, the European Commission <br />is expected to present its plan of action to <br />respond to the threats presented by the report
