Key facts
- Teresa Ribera is the European Commission Executive Vice-President.
- Ribera accused politicians of lying to people.
- These politicians deny the link between global warming and wildfires.
- Ribera warned that climate skepticism undermines the EU's ability to prepare for disasters.
- Europe is experiencing devastating wildfires.
European Commission Executive Vice-President Teresa Ribera has issued a sharp rebuke to politicians who deny the connection between global warming and the current wave of devastating wildfires across Europe. Ribera explicitly accused these individuals of "lying to people" by downplaying or outright denying the scientific consensus on climate change. She emphasized that such climate skepticism poses a significant threat to the European Union's efforts to adequately prepare for and respond to increasingly destructive natural disasters. The Vice-President's statements underscore the urgency of addressing climate change and the political challenges that impede effective policy implementation. The ongoing wildfires, which have caused widespread damage and displacement, serve as a stark backdrop to Ribera's warnings about the consequences of inaction and denial. Her remarks suggest a growing frustration within the EU leadership regarding the persistent influence of climate deniers in political discourse, potentially hampering crucial adaptation and mitigation strategies.