Did climate change cause 16,500 extra deaths in Europe this summer?
Summary
This summer, Europe experienced one of its hottest years on record, with extreme temperatures leading to numerous heat-related deaths and wildfires. Research suggests that climate change was a significant factor, responsible for around 16,500 extra deaths due to the heat. Some countries, like Spain and Portugal, saw vast areas of land burned during wildfires.Key Facts
- Europe faced extremely high temperatures this summer, reaching over 46°C (114°F).
- Approximately 16,500 additional deaths in Europe were attributed to heat, with climate change blamed for 68% of these deaths.
- Spain and Portugal experienced especially severe wildfires, with areas larger than 1,200,000 acres burned.
- The Grantham Institute study looked at data from 854 European cities and linked a temperature rise of about 3.6°C (6.48°F) to the increased death toll.
- The study highlights that heat-related deaths are likely underreported, as it only covered cities making up a third of Europe's population.
- Italy, Spain, and Germany saw the highest number of additional heat-related deaths.
- Felt more in cities, heatwaves become deadlier with urban setups that trap heat and greater energy use.
- Older adults, particularly those over 65, were most affected due to underlying health issues worsened by the intense heat.
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