More than 20,000 people died in Western Europe this summer during a heat wave.

Analysis of excess mortality, the difference between the number of deaths calculated and those expected based on data from previous years, reveals the threats posed by global warming caused by the climate crisis, scientists say.

In particular, during the summer heat, the temperature in London exceeded 40 degrees Celsius, the mercury column in the south-west of France reached 42 degrees, and record highs of 44 degrees were set in Seville and Cordoba in Spain.

An analysis by the World Weather Attribution team of scientists found that such high temperatures would have been “virtually impossible” in the absence of a climate crisis.

More deaths in England, France, Spain, Germany

There were 3,271 deaths in England and Wales between June 1 and September 7, according to the Office for National Statistics. This is 6.2% more than the five-year average.

The analysis did not specifically consider heat-related mortality, but the number of deaths was higher on hot days than on non-hot days. Deaths from Covid-19 have been excluded.

Also in France, 10,420 additional deaths were recorded during the summer months, according to the government. One in four of these deaths, or 2816, occurred during a heat wave. Even the death rate was 20% higher in areas where a red alert was issued due to extreme temperatures.

The state-supported Carlos III Health Institute estimates that there were 4,655 heat-related deaths in Spain between June and August.

The German Robert Koch Institute estimates that 4,500 people died in the country during the summer months precisely because of extreme temperatures.

Dr Frederick Otto, Senior Lecturer in Climate Science at the Grantham Institute at Imperial College London, said: “Heat is one of the biggest threats of the climate crisis. High temperatures cause thousands of deaths worldwide every year.

“Despite this overwhelming evidence, public awareness of the health risks associated with extreme temperatures is still low,” he added.

Heat waves will become more frequent and intense

According to the European climate change agency Copernicus, the summer of 2022 was the hottest on record.

Dr Eunice Lowe, climate change and health researcher at the University of Bristol, said: “Heat waves are becoming more frequent and intense as the planet warms. Scientists have linked many past heatwaves to anthropogenic climate change. This means that observed heatwaves have become more likely or more intense due to anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions.”

It is noted that global warming is caused by the burning of fossil fuels, the destruction of forests and other human activities. Last year, the International Energy Agency advised that no new developments in natural gas, oil or coal should occur this year and beyond to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius.

Society also needs to adapt to the extreme heat, Lo said. “We have to adapt to these temperatures. “Planning for this adaptation includes designing houses, schools and hospitals with good ventilation and preventing overheating, increasing green spaces and parks in cities, and introducing heat warnings for everyone,” he concluded.

Source: Guardian