Recent research estimates that climate change led to 16,469 deaths in European cities this summer. This summer marked the fourth hottest in Europe’s history, with various countries experiencing unprecedented heat waves.
In August, Spain sweltered through its most intense heat wave ever. Türkiye recorded a staggering 50.5°C (122.9°F), the highest temperature ever documented there. Even Finland faced three consecutive weeks of 30°C heat, a rare occurrence in that region.
A study by researchers at Imperial College London and the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine calculated that during the height of summer, around 24,400 individuals died from heat-related causes across 854 European urban centers. The study attributes 68% of these deaths directly to climate change. “In other words, climate change could have tripled the death toll,” explained Garyfallos Konstantinoudis, a biostatistician involved in the study.
While the planet’s temperature has increased by about 1.3°C overall, Europe is warming at a faster rate. This summer, temperatures soared 1.5°C to 2.9°C higher than they would have been without human-induced warming.
“These numbers represent real people who have lost their lives due to extreme heat,” noted Friederike Otto, a climatologist on the research team. “Many of these deaths could have been avoided if climate change had not been a factor.” Experts warn that if fossil fuel consumption continues unabated, these incidents will only worsen.
Interestingly, northern Europe faced a larger share of heat-related deaths compared to southern Europe. This is surprising since southern parts experienced higher temperatures, sometimes reaching increases of up to 3.6°C. The key difference lies in how accustomed different regions are to heat. Before climate change, northern Europe rarely saw temperatures that affected public health. Now, almost all heat-related deaths there can be traced back to climate change.
According to Courtney Howard, an emergency physician and vice-chair of the Global Climate and Health Alliance, extreme heat raises risks for heart attacks and strokes. As the heat increases, the heart has to work harder. High temperatures also worsen respiratory issues like asthma due to heightened ozone levels. Unfortunately, many deaths during heat waves may not be directly categorized as heat-related deaths.
The implications stretch beyond Europe. Chris Callahan, a climate scientist from Indiana University Bloomington, stresses that climate change affects all regions differently, but the underlying cause remains the same: our activities are warming the planet, leading to an increase in mortality rates.
Older adults are particularly vulnerable, with those over 64 making up 85% of the climate-related deaths this summer. The study emphasizes that the growing toll of warming on health is not just a European issue; it’s a global crisis.
With warming temperatures on the horizon, experts believe the data should serve as a wake-up call. Reducing fossil fuel usage is one of the most vital public health measures we can take today.
Is there hope? With concerted efforts toward renewable energy and community awareness, we can aim for a cooler, healthier planet. The responsibility lies with each of us, but the time to act is now.
