Extremes suggest we must act more quickly

A record temperature was recorded in France yesterday when, in Carpentras, in the south-eastern Vaucluse département, the mercury hit 44.3C, breaking the previous record of 44.1C set in Montpellier and Nîmes in August 2003. However, Meteo-France did not expect that record to last the day. It was “very probable” it would be beaten again.

“[The temperature] will continue to climb and, in some places, we could pass 44C,” the service warned.