More quickly than any other continent, Europe is warming up, and the heat is lethal.
Europe is warming twice as fast as the rest of the world, according to a recent research by European climate experts, and the summer heat is taking a large toll on life.
The UN’s estimations and the Europe’s Copernicus Climate Change Service’s analysis indicate that throughout the past 20 years, there has been a minimum 30% rise in heat-related fatalities throughout the continent.
José Álvaro Silva, from the World Meteorological Organization, emphasizes, “The impact on human health is most evident in those cities where the majority of people reside.” It’s not just urban areas bearing the brunt; rural areas are also experiencing rapid warming, as buildings and roads retain heat for longer periods.
The summer of 2023 shown just how dangerous heat can be for those living in Europe. During a heatwave in July, temperatures soared to 110 degrees Fahrenheit or higher in nearly half of southern Europe. In the absence of air conditioning, this type of weather can be fatal.
Although the exact number of deaths from the heatwave is still being counted, researchers estimate that it is probably in the thousands.. One study suggested that over 60,000 people died prematurely due to the July 2023 heatwave. Chris Hewitt, head of the World Meteorological Organization, states, “Extreme heat is the leading cause of death among all extreme weather events.
Europe’s intense heat is driven by three factors. Its proximity to the Arctic, the fastest-warming region on Earth, natural warm ocean currents, and atmospheric currents all contribute.
This is why winters in London are much milder compared to Chicago, even though London is farther north. However, it also means that Europe is warming dangerously fast compared to locations at similar latitudes.
Samantha Burgess, deputy director of the Copernicus Climate Change Service, explains, “We’re seeing new records broken all the time.” Due to the risks posed by heat, many European cities are struggling to ensure residents have access to air conditioning, and reliable electricity to power it during the hottest days. Read More:
Some of the deadliest heatwaves around the world have included blackouts, when power grids fail during extreme heat. 2023 was the second consecutive year that the continent produced more electricity from renewable energy than from burning fossil fuels.”