It sneaks up on you, is called the silent killer of climate change and hits hard against already vulnerable groups such as the elderly and chronically ill. The heat can be linked to over 47,000 deaths in Europe last year, according to a study from the Barcelona Institute for Global Health.
2023 was the warmest year measured on Earth and the second warmest measured in Europe. The temperature continues to rise as a result of climate change – and it is an increasingly large concern in Europe, which according to research is the continent that is warming up the fastest.
Could have been worse
Without the measures taken over the past two decades to adapt society to rising temperatures, the heat-related mortality could have been 80 percent higher, according to the study, which was published in the scientific journal Nature Medicine. This includes measures such as more air conditioning, improved information and warnings to the public, and advances in healthcare.
It has dramatically reduced the heat-related vulnerability and mortality in recent summers, especially among the elderly, says the study's lead author Elisa Gallo in a comment.
The report authors base their conclusions on temperature data and death registers from 35 countries in Europe – and emphasize that the heat-related death toll is an estimate. Older people are at greatest risk of falling victim to the heat, and countries in Southern Europe, such as Greece, Italy, and Spain, are the most affected, according to the study.
"Not sufficient"
The results are in line with previous research, according to Dominic Royé from the Climate Research Foundation, who was not involved in the study. He believes that there is an increased need to better monitor the effects of heat among the most vulnerable groups.
We monitor the temperature very well, but not the health effects in the same way, says Royé to The Guardian.
The social adaptation to rising temperatures has played a crucial role in reducing mortality in Europe, but is still not sufficient.
Heatwaves will become more intense and longer-lasting due to climate change. It is the climate effect that is expected to have the greatest impact on public health in Sweden. During the heatwave in 2018, for example, mortality among Sweden's population increased compared to previous summers.
People are affected differently, and the consequences can be both psychological and physical.
Particularly sensitive groups are the elderly, people with certain chronic diseases or taking certain medications, and people with disabilities living alone. The acute health effects include, among other things, heatstroke, stroke, heart attack, and respiratory problems.
Source: National Expert Council for Climate Adaptation
