Heatwave across Europe a concern for Leeds climate expert
Temperatures are due to reach 40 degrees celsius in places this week across Europe
Southern Europe's being warned to expect the heatwave to become even more intense this week, after temperatures hit 39 degrees celsius in places.
There are 16 red alerts across Italy, with authorities considering limiting visitor access to tourist attractions for people's safety.
John Marsham, is a Professor of Atmospheric Science at the University of Leeds and said: "I mean the weather affects our mood, and it would be nice right now to have some sunshine and warmth wouldn't it, but equally 40 degrees is too hot.
"I think as a human you can go inside, you can have a cold beer, maybe you can switch the air conditioning, on, if you're lucky but you know, nature can't do that, and these heatwaves, they really affect the natural world, this is not the climate that natural eco systems are adapted to."
Power outages were hitting parts of Rome as electric grids suffered under heavier demand from air conditioners as people sought relief.
Italian farm lobbying group Coldiretti, meanwhile, issued an alarm about the plight of domestic and farm animals, noting that cows are producing around 10% less milk as a result of the heat.
In Spain, a wildfire that started on Saturday on the Canary island of La Palma continued to burn out of control on Monday, although authorities says weaker winds and cooler temperatures in the area are helping firefighters combat it.
The blaze has burned some 4,600 hectares (11,300 acres) of mostly woody hill land and some 20 houses and buildings.
More than 4,000 residents were evacuated from their homes on Saturday, but were allowed to return as of late Sunday.
Professor John Marsham also said: "What I find frustrating now is, we know we have solutions to these problems, the worlds committed in the past agreement, to meet the 1.5 degree target and the solutions are very often a win, win you know, renewables are cheaper, they'll address the cost of living crisis, they'll create UK jobs, they'll lead to energy security."