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Irish Examiner
02-08-2025
- Climate
- Irish Examiner
Hot topic: Why bake on the Med when you can have a 'coolcation' at home?
It's the summer season, and you've planned your getaway for months. You are heading for the sunnier climes of Spain or Portugal, even as far as Greece. The traditional sun holiday had it all: beaches, sea, some nice food and most of all, the guarantee of good weather. The sun holiday has been with us for decades, and it's something I've always enjoyed; it's a break from Ireland and the inclement weather. This was something we all revelled in for countless summers. Come the school holidays and the quieter month of August, when the country traditionally shuts down for silly season, we all flocked to the Med. But one would want to be wilfully ignoring the weather forecast for Europe for the last few years, not to know heatwaves are becoming more common; what was once an occasional flare-up now seems to be the norm. I first noticed it in 2018 when a summer heatwave and drought hit Ireland and the UK. Having lived in Australia for nearly a decade, I initially welcomed that warm spell, but then the heat lingered, and I began to have second thoughts. And that was only the start of it. Greece and Turkey are currently battling wildfires, with temperatures above 40C. Picture: Pantelis Fykaris/ via AP The year 2022 saw the worst drought in the Iberian Peninsula for 1,200 years, but it wasn't alone. California also experienced a megadrought, the worst in 1,00 years. The droughts also go hand-in-hand with that deadly outcome: fire. Over the past few summers, wildfires have burned across Europe in our traditional holiday countries. Wildfires and 40C temperatures Indeed, at the time of writing, Greece and Turkey are battling wildfires, with temperatures above 40C. In southern Turkey, the temperatures reached 50.5C in the southeastern city of Silopi, as reported by the BBC, with people being evacuated in the region in their thousands. Tourists have in recent years at times been caught in the crosshairs of these extreme heat and wildfires, with tourists evacuated from holiday regions. Just recently, 5,000 people were evacuated from the island of Crete (more than half of them tourists.) And evacuation is a best-case scenario — in the Greek wildfires in 2023, there were 28 deaths and 75 people injured. But it's not just wildfires, the extreme heatwaves can have more subtle impacts, with estimates now saying some 2,300 people died due to high heat across 12 European cities between June 23 and July 2 of this year, according to research conducted by Imperial College London. France alone saw some 480 people die due to extreme heatwaves that affected nearly the entire nation from June 19 to July 6. The numbers and temperatures can seem improbable at the remove of, by-and-large, temperate Ireland, but once one has experienced 40C, you remember that sort of heat and how oppressive it can be. We knew the climate was changing, but the rate of change of warming in Europe is now faster than the global average — indeed, it is the fastest-warming continent on the planet. With all this in mind, quite a few of us have now started to do something different. Instead of heading for an oppressive Mediterranean beach, people are opting for cool-weather tourism. Cool-weather tourism, or coolcations as it is known, is the option to switch from the heat to a cooler climate country. Escaping heat and overtourism It's not that we are choosing bad weather, rather we are opting to escape the heat and, in the case of many city breaks, the scourge of overtourism. The great thing about coolcations is we don't have far to go — Ireland is right up there on the list of coolcation destinations. Countries like ours, the Scandinavian nations, and even as far flung as Patagonia in Chile and Argentina are now coming into focus for holiday makers. It's why this year I'll be taking my few days' holiday in Ireland and Scotland. The benefits are many if we can break away from the concept of sun worship. Many coolcation regions are a short flight or drive away, they don't suffer from overtourism for the most part, and you can relax at ease knowing that even the big famous tourism spots won't be inundated with snap-happy tourists. My choice of holidaying in a cooler Ireland and Scotland, however, does come with some consequences. Things are more expensive here than say a sunny beach town in Spain, and hotels prices and eating out can put a real dent in holiday plans. Last summer, we went to Dingle in Kerry, pictured, the summer before, we went to Connemara. There were tourists there, but it never felt oppressive. But then I know how much it costs to do this in Ireland already, so we can maybe opt for different approaches, an Airbnb, and cook our own meals rather than going out to restaurants each night of the holiday, or going to galleries and museums, many of which are free. I'm not some Johnny-come-lately on coolcations, though — I knew about it before it was cool, as they say. Last summer, we went to Dingle in Kerry, the summer before, we went to Connemara. There were tourists there, but it never felt oppressive, and the weather was good, bright, but never too hot. And it turns out, I'm far from alone. Euronews reported earlier this year there has been a 44% increase in people travelling to cooler-weather locations for their holidays, including the Nordics, Canada and Iceland. A different sort of holiday Of course, a cool-weather holiday is a different sort of holiday. In Scotland or Ireland, lying on a beach is probably not going to be your number one priority, but if we can get over that stumbling block, there are plenty of more active opportunities on offer. Hill-walking and mountain-climbing in Scotland or Ireland is breathtaking, one can catch a wave on some of the best surf in the world on Ireland's west coast or, as I have heard from fishing friends, go for salmon in the Baltics or even northern Russia. Tourism is already our largest indigenous industry, so we are well used to managing crowds, but we'd better ensure the good thing about Ireland, which is that it never feels too busy, can remain while we accommodate the expected surge. It all sounds good on paper, but if coolcations take off, do we risk these cool-weather locations and countries suffering the same overtourism as our Mediterranean neighbours? We don't want the MacGillycuddy's Reeks to have a queue to get to the top like the Eiffel Tower, or a fjord in Norway to become the new Venice, polluted with cruise ships. As this new trend emerges, it's up to us cool-weather nations to manage the inflow of these extra tourists coming to our nations. Tourism is already our largest indigenous industry, so we are well used to managing crowds, but we'd better ensure the good thing about Ireland, which is that it never feels too busy, can remain while we accommodate the expected surge. It's a holiday option I'll be taking for the foreseeable and one that gives me a sense of relief. I don't have to fly south, I don't have to suffer sweltering heat, and as I'm holidaying with the family in Ireland, I can drive there in the comfort of my own vehicle. Europe and the world is changing. I don't want to live through another 40C heatwave, and if I have my way about it, I won't. There's something to be said for that. And something that thousands are starting to catch on to. If Ireland is smart, we'll be a player in coolcation opportunities, and we can do it and welcome people from around the world as we have always done — with a smile and perhaps a hot whiskey to warm them up.
Toronto Sun
26-06-2025
- Climate
- Toronto Sun
Wildfire prompts evacuations near Athens as summer's first heat wave hits Greece
Published Jun 26, 2025 • 1 minute read Firefighters battle with a large wildfire burning in Karyes village, on the eastern Aegean island of Chios, Greece, Sunday, June 22, 2025. Photo by Pantelis Fykaris/ via AP / AP ATHENS, Greece — A large wildfire broke out Thursday south of Athens, prompting authorities to send phone alerts urging the evacuation of five communities near the blaze as temperatures approached 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit) in Greece's first heat wave of the summer. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account Eight water-dropping planes and five helicopters provided air support to 90 firefighters battling the blaze in the Palaia Fokaia seaside area south of Athens, the fire department said. The fire, which reportedly broke out within a populated area, was fanned by strong winds, sending plumes of smoke fanning out across the sky. Footage from local television showed at least one house burning. The coast guard said two patrol boats and nine private vessels were on standby in the Palaia Fokaia area in case an evacuation by sea became necessary, while a lifeboat was also on its way. 'We're telling people to leave their homes,' local town councilor Apostolos Papadakis said on Greece's state-run ERT television. The entire wider Athens area, as well as several Aegean islands, were on Level 4 of a 5-level scale for the danger of wildfires due to the weather conditions, with the heat wave expected to last until the weekend. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Earlier in the week, hundreds of firefighters took four days to bring a major wildfire under control on the eastern Aegean island of Chios. More than a dozen evacuation orders had been issued for Chios, where the flames devoured forest and farmland. The fire department said one woman had been arrested on suspicion of having contributed to that fire's start — reportedly by discarding a cigarette. Wildfires are frequent in Greece during its hot, dry summers. In 2018, a massive fire swept through the seaside town of Mati, east of Athens, trapping people in their homes and on roads as they tried to flee. More than 100 died, including some who drowned trying to swim away from the flames. Canada Sunshine Girls Music Toronto Raptors Toronto & GTA
Irish Examiner
24-06-2025
- Irish Examiner
Firefighters battle wildfire burning out of control on Greek island
Hundreds of firefighters backed up by aircraft are battling a wildfire burning out of control for a third day on the eastern Aegean island of Chios, with authorities issuing multiple evacuation orders. Towering walls of flames ripped through forest and agricultural land on the island, where authorities have declared a state of emergency and have sent firefighting reinforcements from Athens, the northern city of Thessaloniki and the nearby island of Lesbos. By Tuesday morning, the fire department said 444 firefighters with 85 vehicles were tackling the blaze on scattered fronts. Eleven helicopters and two water-dropping planes were providing air support. Emergency services have issued evacuation orders for villages and settlements in the area since Sunday, when fires broke out near the island's main town. Firefighters battle a large wildfire on Chios (Pantelis Fykaris/ via AP) The fire department has sent an arson investigation team to Chios to examine the cause of the blaze. 'We are faced with simultaneous fires in multiple, geographically unconnected parts of the island – a pattern that cannot be considered coincidental,' climate crisis and civil protection minister Giannis Kefalogiannis said on Monday from Chios. Authorities, he said, were 'very seriously examining the possibility of an organised criminal act, in other words arson'. The minister said police forces on the island had been reinforced, while military patrols had been doubled. 'Whoever thinks that they can play with the lives of citizens and cause chaos with premeditated actions will be led to court,' Mr Kefalogiannis said. 'Arson is a serious crime and will be dealt with as such.' Wildfires are frequent in Greece during its hot, dry summers. In 2018, a massive fire swept through the seaside town of Mati, east of Athens, trapping people in their homes and on roads as they tried to flee. More than 100 died, including some who drowned trying to swim away from the flames.
The Herald Scotland
22-06-2025
- Climate
- The Herald Scotland
More than 100 firefighters battle large wildfire on Greek island
The flames were fanned by strong winds, leaving firefighters struggling to contain what turned into one large blaze. The fire department said it was sending an arson investigation team to the Greek island. A firefighter pours water to cool down his colleague as they battle a large wildfire on Chios (Pantelis Fykaris/ via AP) Dozens of firefighters from Athens and the northern Greek city of Thessaloniki were sent by ship as reinforcements to the 100 already on the island. Ten water-dropping helicopters and two firefighting planes provided air support until nightfall. As daylight faded, local media footage and photos showed firefighters battling towering flames burning through woodland and farmland. Wildfires are frequent in Greece during its hot, dry summers, but authorities have said climate change has been fuelling bigger and more frequent blazes. In 2018, a massive fire swept through the seaside town of Mati, east of Athens, trapping people in their homes and on roads as they tried to flee. More than 100 people died, including some who drowned trying to swim away from the flames.
Glasgow Times
22-06-2025
- Climate
- Glasgow Times
More than 100 firefighters battle large wildfire on Greek island
The fire department said three separate blazes had broken out in the morning and mid-day on Sunday near the town of Chios. The flames were fanned by strong winds, leaving firefighters struggling to contain what turned into one large blaze. The fire department said it was sending an arson investigation team to the Greek island. A firefighter pours water to cool down his colleague as they battle a large wildfire on Chios (Pantelis Fykaris/ via AP) Dozens of firefighters from Athens and the northern Greek city of Thessaloniki were sent by ship as reinforcements to the 100 already on the island. Ten water-dropping helicopters and two firefighting planes provided air support until nightfall. As daylight faded, local media footage and photos showed firefighters battling towering flames burning through woodland and farmland. Wildfires are frequent in Greece during its hot, dry summers, but authorities have said climate change has been fuelling bigger and more frequent blazes. In 2018, a massive fire swept through the seaside town of Mati, east of Athens, trapping people in their homes and on roads as they tried to flee. More than 100 people died, including some who drowned trying to swim away from the flames.
