The World Health Organization (WHO) in Europe reported that extreme heat is responsible for over 175,000 deaths annually across Europe, with temperatures rising at a rate nearly twice the global average.
This alarming statistic is part of a broader trend observed between 2000 and 2019, where approximately 489,000 heat-related deaths were recorded annually, with Europe accounting for 36% of these fatalities.
Hans Kluge, WHO Regional Director for Europe, emphasized the human cost of these statistics, stating, “Ultimately, it is the people who pay the price.”
The WHO’s findings indicate a 30% increase in heat-related deaths in the region over the last two decades, with the most severe impact on those suffering from chronic diseases such as cardiovascular and respiratory conditions, cerebrovascular diseases, mental health issues, and diabetes.
The WHO highlighted that “thermal stress,” which occurs when the human body cannot maintain its temperature, is the leading climate-related cause of death in the region.
The organization also warned that heat-related deaths are expected to “rise” in the coming years due to global warming.
Kluge revealed that the three hottest years ever recorded in the region all occurred since 2020, with the ten hottest years since 2007.
This pattern underscores the escalating intensity of heatwaves, which have been exacerbated by climate change.
On July 25, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned that humanity is suffering from a “pandemic of extreme heat” and urged action to mitigate the impacts of increasingly severe heatwaves.
