Figures show that more than 20,000 people in western Europe died during the extreme heatwaves this summer.
Through analysis of excess deaths and the expected ‘trend’ of deaths, climate scientists across western Europe have ascertained that the temperatures reached would have been ‘virtually impossible‘ without climate change.
England and Wales
According to the Office for National Statistics, 3,271 excess deaths were recorded in the three months between 1 June and 7 September. This is 6.2% higher than the five-year average.
In the summer of 2022, temperatures in London peaked at a staggering 40 degrees Celsius.
Germany
German government health agency, the Robert Koch Institute, has estimated that 4,500 people died in the country as a direct result of high temperatures in the summer.
The town of Bad Mergentheim recorded the country’s highest-ever temperature, 40.3C, in July 2022.
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France
In France, the Santé Publique France (government health agency) released figures that show 10,420 excess deaths in the same summer. Some parts of south-west France saw temperatures reach as high as 42C.
Nearly 3,000 of these deaths occurred during intense heatwaves sweeping the country. The figures also show that these excess deaths were 20% higher in areas where extreme temperature warnings were issued.
Spain
Spain’s state-sponsored Carlos III Health Institute has estimated that over 4,500 heat-related deaths occurred between June and August.
Temperatures in Spain were soaring this summer as the cities of Seville and Córdoba set record highs of 44C.
Dr Friederike Otto, a senior lecturer in climate science at Imperial College London, spoke to the Guardian about the threat of heatwaves.
He said: ‘Heatwaves are one of the biggest threats posed by climate change. High temperatures are responsible for thousands of deaths across the world every year, many of which go underreported.
‘Despite this overwhelming evidence, there is still little public awareness of the dangers that extreme temperatures present to human health.’
After thousands more died during the summer heatwaves, it is clear we need to do far more as a planet before it is too late.
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