In 2024, Poland faced unprecedented weather extremes, including floods in the south, localized flash floods, and simultaneous hydrological droughts. Dr. Sebastian Szklarek, an ecohydrologist from the European Regional Centre for Ecohydrology, highlights how global warming amplifies such events. Record-breaking global temperatures have directly contributed to intensifying climatic phenomena.
Shifting Weather Patterns
A September flood in Poland exemplified climate-driven changes. Cooler air masses from the west met warmer eastern European air, leading to heavy rainfall, exacerbated by warmer ocean temperatures. These conditions increasingly trigger extreme downpours and flash floods, impacting cities nationwide.
Addressing Water Scarcity and Mitigation Strategies
Despite intense rainfall, rising evaporation due to higher temperatures fuels agricultural droughts. Dr. Szklarek advocates retaining rainwater at its source, which helps combat droughts and stabilize river flows. Practical urban solutions, such as converting lawns into water-collecting basins and using rapid-deploy flood barriers, could mitigate flood damage.
Preparing for Future Extremes
Poland must anticipate and prepare for more severe weather phenomena. Effective planning, including nature-based solutions and infrastructure adaptation, is essential for mitigating climate change’s impacts.