Adapting to ever-changing landscapes and Europe's uninsurable areas

Europe Edition - Today's top story: A very strong El Niño is approaching. Here's what we can expect View in browser   Europe Edition | 4 June 2026 According to The World Meteorological Organization, El Niño is expected to strengthen until the end of 2026. The strong prospect of heatwaves and heavy rainfall resulting from the climate change driven oceanic and atmospheric phenomenon could be potentially devastating and far-reaching. Amid rising premiums and a lack of insurance coverage, what options are out there for homeowners in Europe’s hazard-prone areas? As the 10th anniversary of Britain’s seismic withdrawal from the EU looms, we look at the Brexit legacy and the shift in the public mood from celebration to commiseration over leaving the customs union and single market. And finally… to Finland, Europe’s most digitalised country. Further efforts towards digital inclusion are needed to ensure that the Nordic nation’s technologically-challenged elders who rely on in-person services are not getting left out. Carly Lock Editor, Paris A very strong El Niño may be approaching. Here’s what it could mean for the world’s weather Javier Martín Vide, Universitat de Barcelona This atmospheric phenomenon can cause floods and droughts across the world. Climate change: how fires and floods are creating uninsurable areas across Europe Clotilde Cerdan Amiard, IE University From California to France and the UK, traditional private markets are buckling under the weight of climate claims. Ebola, hantavirus… how eroding global health cooperation could threaten worse crises ahead Andrea Vaccaro, European University Institute; Rachel M Gisselquist, University of Birmingham Global health funding cracks do not bode well for pandemic governance as recent disease outbreaks are reminding us.  From Brexit to ‘Bregret’: ten years later, bitterness still prevails over the UK’s vote to leave the EU Laëtitia Langlois, Université d’Angers On June 23 2016, a slight majority of Britons voted to leave the European Union. Today surveys show that more people are regretting the EU divorce deal rather than celebrating it. Finland is Europe’s most digitalised country – but older people are still left behind Jeff Hearn, University of Huddersfield; Hanken School of Economics; Charlotta Niemistö, Åbo Akademi University; Hanna Sjögren, University of Helsinki In-person visits to important places, such as banks and health centres, can become very limited, even impossible. Battleground Vienna: Austrian intelligence officer convicted of spying for Russia belongs to a long tradition Karina Urbach, School of Advanced Study, University of London The Austrian capital of Vienna has long been a hub of espionage. AI ‘digital twins’ are transforming heart care but will they work for women? Sumesh Sasidharan, Aix-Marseille Université (AMU) In cardiology, sex and gender-sensitive diagnosis and treatment planning are crucial, but biological differences remain the missing link in AI-powered human virtual twin technology. Chief Purpose Officers: A leadership solution or another management fad? Nicole Steller, ESCP Business School; European Academy of Management (EURAM); Albena Björck, ZHAW School of Management and Law; Guido Möllering, Witten/Herdecke University Make way for the Chief Purpose Officer - a corporate compass for keeping firms’ strategy in line with their purpose statements, but can they genuinely change organizations for the better? A good night’s sleep begins with healthy gut bacteria. Here’s how to look after yours Sara Uceda Gutiérrez, Universidad Nebrija; Manuel Reiriz Rojas, Universidad Nebrija The gut microbiome can aid sleep, but good sleep can also protect the but microbiome. Correfocs are Barcelona’s noisiest tradition – and ‘fire devil’ performers sacrifice their hearing to take part karla berrens, Universitat de Barcelona Fireworks and drums are a big part of Catalan culture, but decades of extreme noise take a toll on performers’ health. Land by Maggie O'Farrell is a haunting tale set in post-famine Ireland about history, map-making and memory David Nally, University of Cambridge How can you map a changing landscape and retain its history and spirituality? Better patient-nurse relationships can transform mental health care – and make hospital stays shorter Antonio R. Moreno Poyato, Universitat de Barcelona; Khadija El Abidi El Ghazouani, Universitat de Barcelona; Sara Sanchez-Balcells Our study found a way to shorten hospital stays in mental health units by multiple days.         You’re receiving this newsletter from The Conversation The Conversation France (assoc. 1901) 14, rue Sainte-Cécile 75009 Paris Forward to a friend  •  Unsubscribe