1,500 more people died across 12 European cities during the recent heatwave than would have without the influence of climate change, according to researchers at World Weather Attribution.
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A recent record-breaking heatwave in Europe caused 1,500 more deaths than would have occurred without the influence of climate change, a new study has concluded.
World Weather Attribution, an academic collaboration studying extreme event attribution, found that human-driven climate change tripled the number of heat-related deaths, as it increased heatwave temperatures up to 4C across a dozen cities.
Researchers from Imperial College London and the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine focused on data from June 23 to July 2 and 12 European cities in Italy, Spain, Portugal, France, the UK, Greece, Croatia, and Hungary.
2,300 heat-related deaths were recorded during the 10-day period. Of these, 1,500 – or 65% – would not have happened if climate change had not intensified the heatwave, they concluded.
‘Silent Killer’
Heat is extremely dangerous for humans as it compromises physiological processes meant to keep the body cool.
Stress on human bodies caused by heat prevents normal daily activities and our ability to cool down properly. Areas that generally have more humidity can also put lives at risk. Sweat helps our bodies cool off, but humidity changes the way sweat evaporates from the body. Not being able to cool down puts people’s health at risk, and can lead to increased cardiovascular and respiratory complications, dehydration, heatstroke, higher blood pressure, and sleep deprivation. Some of these conditions can be deadly if not treated promptly.
While no one is truly immune to extreme heat, factors such as age and health condition, as well as exposure variables including occupation and socio-economic circumstances, can increase an individual’s vulnerability. Studies show that women – particularly pregnant women, children, and the elderly are especially at risk of developing severe heat-related symptoms.
Last month’s heatwave disproportionately affected these vulnerable categories, the World Weather Attribution study showed, with people aged 65 and over making up some 88% of the excess deaths.
Heatwaves kill nearly half a million people each year globally, making them the deadliest extreme weather event. Heat is often referred to as a “silent killer“, as accurately monitoring heat-related fatalities is challenging and many countries still lack adequate record-keeping systems. As a result, the documented number of heat-related deaths is often significantly lower than the actual toll.
“While a handful of deaths have been reported in Spain, France and Italy, thousands more people are expected to have died as a result of the blistering temperatures and their deaths won’t be recorded as heat-related,” said Malcolm Mistry, Assistant Professor at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine and one of the study’s authors.
“Most people who die in heatwaves pass away at home or in hospitals as their bodies become overwhelmed and give in to pre-existing health conditions,” he added.
Record-Breaking Temperatures
The heatwave began in late June and extended through July, bringing temperatures above 40C in several countries and shattering temperature records in Spain and Portugal, with highs of 46C. The scorching weather prompted limitations on outdoor work schedules in Italy, the shutdown of over 1,300 schools and some nuclear reactors in France, and the eruption of wildfires across the Mediterranean.
The increase in extreme heat is a direct result of our warming planet, which is driven by greenhouse gasses that trap heat in the atmosphere. This raises Earth’s surface temperature, leading to longer and hotter heatwaves.
Last month was Europe’s fifth-warmest June in the record, although most of western and central Europe experienced warmer-than-average air temperatures. Western Europe as a whole saw its warmest June on record, with an average temperature of 20.49C, 2.81C above the 1991–2020 average, according to the European Union’s Copernicus Climate Change Service.
Exceptional warmth also developed in the Mediterranean Sea, which reached a record-breaking temperature of 27C for June, 3.7C above the long-term average.
Featured image: Alisdare Hickson/Flickr.
Check out our 3-part series ‘Silent Killer’ on extreme heat
💡How to stay safe in extreme heat
- 💧Stay hydrated: Drink around two liters of water per day, or about eight glasses. In heat conditions, experts recommend drinking throughout the day and urinating around six to seven times a day, or every two to three hours.
- 🍉Eat nutritious food: Stick to hydrating, fresh food such as watermelon, peaches, berries, grapes, and oranges, vegetables that can be juiced, as well as liquid meals such as soups. Avoid spicy foods, known to make the body sweat. Avoid cooking at home, and opt for the microwave instead of the oven if you have to.
- 💦Exercise responsibly: If you exercise outdoors, take breaks in the shade or indoors to allow your body to cool down faster. Wear sensible attire, such as lightweight, loose-fitting clothing made of breathable fabrics, such as cotton, linen, bamboo, polyester, nylon and microfiber. Hydrate well before a workout and drinking throughout every 15-20 minutes, especially when the physical activity lasts longer than an hour.
- 🌡️Follow local weather services: Check local meteorological services or news channels regularly, as they provide real-time updates and alerts about heat advisories and warnings. Local governments and emergency management agencies often post timely updates on social media platforms as well so keep them monitored.
- 📱Use weather apps: Download reputable weather apps that provide notifications about extreme heat conditions. Many of these apps allow users to set alerts for specific weather events in their area.
- ❗Sign up for emergency alerts: Many cities have rolled out local emergency notification systems or community alert programs that citizens can easily enroll in. These services often send text or email alerts directly to residents during extreme weather events, including heatwaves.
For more tips, check out our article on this topic. To learn more about the risks of extreme heat and how the world is adapting, you can read our 3-part series on extreme heat.
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