Europe is in the midst of its worst heatwave since 2003, as 2018 shapes up as one of the worst years on record. Scientists point to people-made climate change as the problem, and they say it's only going to get worse unless politics changes.

Children play in the fountains outside the Royal Festival Hall in London, UK, August 3, 2018.
Children play in the fountains outside the Royal Festival Hall in London, UK, August 3, 2018. (Reuters)

A heatwave in Europe has brought drought and wildfires to the continent – from Greece, where 91 people died in a fire in July, to Sweden.

In parts of Portugal temperatures climbed to nearly 47 degrees Celsius last week, just off the country's record of 47.3C and Europe's high of 48C set in Athens in 1977.

People stand in a water spray to cool off in Paris, France, August 4, 2018.
People stand in a water spray to cool off in Paris, France, August 4, 2018. (Reuters)
Tourists cool off at a fountain on Virgin Square in Valencia, Spain, August 3, 2018.
Tourists cool off at a fountain on Virgin Square in Valencia, Spain, August 3, 2018. (Reuters)
A wildfire closes in on the village of Monchique, a popular tourist destination, in southern Portugal's Algarve region, August 5, 2018.
A wildfire closes in on the village of Monchique, a popular tourist destination, in southern Portugal's Algarve region, August 5, 2018. (AP)
Police use a water cannon, usually reserved for riot control, to hose down trees in Bochum, Germany.
Police use a water cannon, usually reserved for riot control, to hose down trees in Bochum, Germany. (Reuters)
Source: TRTWorld and agencies