SAEDNEWS: A recent European heat wave killed thousands as climate change drove temperatures far beyond historical norms, with researchers estimating that global warming was responsible for nearly two-thirds of the deaths.
Extreme heat is emerging as a major killer as the climate crisis accelerates, according to a new study estimating that global warming tripled fatalities during Europe’s latest heat wave.
For more than a week, temperatures across much of Europe soared past 100 degrees Fahrenheit.
Tourist attractions shut down, wildfires swept through multiple countries, and residents struggled to endure conditions in regions where air conditioning is uncommon.
Thousands are believed to have died, according to a rapid analysis published Wednesday.
A research team led by Imperial College London examined 10 days of extreme temperatures between June 23 and July 2 in 12 cities, including London, Paris, Athens, Madrid and Rome.
Using historical data, scientists calculated how hot it would have been without the 1.3 degrees Celsius of warming caused by burning fossil fuels.
They concluded that climate change increased the heat wave’s severity by 1 to 4 degrees Celsius.
Researchers then analyzed how heat affects daily mortality to estimate the impact.
Approximately 2,300 deaths were recorded across the 12 cities during the period, around 1,500 more than in a climate without warming.
The findings suggest that 65% of the total death toll was due to climate change.
“The results show how relatively small increases in the hottest temperatures can trigger huge surges in death,” the authors wrote.
Older adults were hardest hit, with people over 65 making up 88% of excess deaths.
Nearly 200 fatalities were among individuals aged 20 to 65.
In Madrid, climate change was linked to about 90% of heat-related deaths.
The study covered only 12 cities, offering a limited view of the broader impact.
Researchers estimate the total death toll across Europe could reach tens of thousands.
“Heatwaves don’t leave a trail of destruction like wildfires or storms,” said Ben Clarke, a study author and researcher at Imperial College London. “Their impacts are mostly invisible but quietly devastating — a change of just 2 or 3 degrees Celsius can mean the difference between life and death for thousands of people.”
Friederike Otto, a climate scientist at Imperial College London, warned that fossil fuel emissions must end to prevent even more deadly heat.
“Shifting to renewable energy, building cities that can withstand extreme heat, and protecting the poorest and most vulnerable is absolutely essential,” she said.
Akshay Deoras, a research scientist at the University of Reading not involved in the study, said the robust methodology proved that climate change is already deadly in Europe.
Richard Allan, a University of Reading climate science professor, added that the findings reinforce evidence showing that global warming makes heat waves more extreme.
“As one part of the globe bakes and burns, another region can suffer intense rainfall and catastrophic flooding,” Allan said.
