Europe’s Fight Against Heat: Essential Strategies to Safeguard Health in a Warming Climate

Researchers in Europe are working hard to protect people from rising temperatures. Their main focus is on vulnerable groups and improving communication about climate-related health risks.

Climate change is changing our weather and harming ecosystems. But how is it affecting our health? The Climate-Health Cluster, a project funded by the EU, says we don’t fully grasp the health issues caused by higher temperatures.

They’re developing ways to help those most at risk during heatwaves. This includes creating plans for health systems to better respond to climate-related threats. As Professor Cathryn Tonne from the Barcelona Institute for Global Health explains, many people don’t feel the urgency of the climate crisis. Concepts like sea level rise can seem abstract. “We need to connect climate issues to health to make them feel more immediate,” she says.

Tonne leads a five-year research initiative called CATALYSE. This project, part of a larger group of six EU-backed studies, aims to improve how climate change is communicated. Poor communication has led to confusion over climate solutions. For example, wood burning was once seen as eco-friendly but later turned out to hurt air quality.

Reframing climate change as a health issue can motivate people to act. Tonne believes that if more folks understood how climate change threatens lives, they might support stronger environmental policies. “We have a net zero target, but we need to focus on strategies that improve health as well,” she says. For instance, promoting bicycling can benefit both our health and the environment.

Heat stress is a significant concern, especially in Mediterranean regions. In the summer of 2022, Europe experienced over 61,000 heat-related deaths, and the numbers for 2023 were just as alarming. The World Health Organization predicts that climate change could lead to an additional 250,000 deaths per year globally between 2030 and 2050. To combat this, researchers are collaborating with meteorological agencies to create warning systems for at-risk populations, especially older adults.

Outdoor workers, particularly in agriculture, face heightened risks. Every year, between 800,000 and 1 million seasonal outdoor workers in Europe may be vulnerable to extreme heat. Many of these workers are migrants, often living in poor conditions. Daniel Izuzquiza, director of SJM-Jesuit Migrant Service, highlights the pressing need for safe working environments. “In places like Spain’s Almeria, workers endure extreme conditions both on the job and at home,” he explains.

The research team is gathering data to better understand these risks and suggest protective measures. There’s a growing realization that conditions for outdoor workers must improve. Access to clean water and adequate housing is essential.

Ultimately, the challenge is about communication. Researchers want to clarify the health impacts of climate change and frame climate action as a critical investment in public well-being. “When people see the danger to their lives, they’re more likely to back policies that protect health and the environment,” Tonne asserts.

By making these connections clear, Europe can work toward better health outcomes while tackling the climate crisis.

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