1,500 deaths in recent European heat wave were due to climate change, study estimates
Human-caused climate change has once again made its deadly mark as a recent heat wave in Europe claimed the lives of about 1,500 people, according to a rapid study conducted by scientists at Imperial College in London. This groundbreaking study directly links the deaths to climate change, stating that these individuals would not have died if not for the burning of oil, coal, and gas over the past century.
The study, which used peer-reviewed techniques, estimated that approximately 2,300 people in 12 European cities lost their lives due to the extreme heat wave. Nearly two-thirds of these deaths were attributed to the additional heat brought on by climate change. The researchers found that heat waves are silent killers, with the health impacts being challenging to measure. Often, heat-related deaths are not reported as such, but rather attributed to underlying health conditions.
Of the 1,500 deaths linked to climate change, over 1,100 were individuals aged 75 and older. The study emphasized that climate change exacerbated the intensity of the heat wave, making it more dangerous for certain vulnerable populations. By comparing current temperatures to computer simulations of a world without greenhouse gas emissions, researchers were able to calculate the number of excess deaths caused by the heat wave.
The study focused on cities such as London, Paris, Madrid, and Rome, where climate change added 2 to 4 degrees Celsius to the natural heat wave. The impact of climate change varied across the cities, with the extra warmth resulting in the most deaths in Milan, Barcelona, and Paris. The study underscored the importance of reducing fossil fuel use to mitigate the health risks associated with extreme heat events.
Dr. Jonathan Patz, director of the Center for Health, Energy, and Environmental Research at the University of Wisconsin, commended the study for shedding light on the health consequences of continued fossil fuel consumption. He emphasized that every fraction of a degree of warming matters when it comes to extreme heat waves. Dr. Courtney Howard, a Canadian emergency room physician, echoed this sentiment, stating that reducing fossil fuel use is a crucial aspect of healthcare in the face of climate change.
As the world grapples with the escalating impacts of climate change, studies like this serve as a stark reminder of the urgent need to transition to clean energy sources and prioritize the health and well-being of our planet and its inhabitants. The findings of this study highlight the devastating toll that human-caused climate change can have on vulnerable populations and underscore the importance of taking immediate action to mitigate its effects.
