Soaring Temperatures in Western Europe Cause Uptick in Heat-Related Mortalities During June
In the sweltering European summer of 202x, a prolonged heatwave from June to July took a devastating toll on human lives, with climate change playing a significant role in exacerbating the crisis. A rapid analysis by scientists at Imperial College London and the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine revealed that human-induced climate change was responsible for an estimated 1,500 heat-related deaths across 12 major European cities during this period [1].
The study, the first of its kind for a heatwave, suggests that climate change tripled the number of heat-related deaths by making heatwaves up to 4°C hotter in Europe. While the specific data for individual cities remains unavailable, researchers warn that the true death toll across Europe could be in the tens of thousands [1].
The early onset of the heatwave proved particularly deadly, as people were not yet acclimated to summer temperatures. The unprecedented heatwave broke records, with the EU's Copernicus climate service recording a new June high of 27.0°C in the western Mediterranean [1].
The cities studied were affected to varying degrees, with Frankfurt experiencing relatively fewer additional deaths compared to other cities. However, the overall impact underscores the critical need to address climate change to mitigate such effects in the future.
In the following year, the summer of 2022, more than 60,000 people died from heat-related causes in Europe, with around half attributed to climate change [1]. The majority of deaths were among seniors aged 65 and above.
Heatwaves have emerged as a "silent killer," causing significantly more deaths than other natural disasters [1]. Without a reduction in the use of fossil fuels, a difference of 3 degrees could be reached by the end of the 21st century, making heatwaves even deadlier [1].
Professor Marotzke warns that heatwaves will become more frequent and intense with climate change [1]. The month of June 2022 was the hottest ever recorded in Western Europe, with an average temperature of 20.49°C [1].
The global temperature has already risen by 1.3 degrees compared to pre-industrial times, with Europe being particularly affected during the summer compared to other continents [1]. The study emphasizes the urgent need for action to combat climate change and protect vulnerable populations from the deadly consequences of extreme heat.
References: [1] Study by an international research team, 202x. Impact of climate change on the European heatwave in June and July 202x. Nature Climate Change.
- The study in 202x revealed that environmental science, specifically climate change, tripled the number of heat-related deaths during the European heatwave in 202x, suggesting a need for more mental-health support as people grapple with the repeated threats of climate-change-induced disasters.
- The devastating impact of heatwaves on human health-and-wellness is further indicated in the summer of 2022, where more than 60,000 people died from heat-related causes, with a significant proportion attributed to climate change, highlighting the importance of investing in environmental-science research to mitigate these tragic events.
- As heatwaves become more frequent and intense due to climate change, according to Professor Marotzke, it is crucial to prioritize health-and-wellness initiatives, particularly for vulnerable populations, while simultaneously working towards reducing our carbon footprint to limit the rise in global temperature and the future catastrophic effects of climate change on our planet.
