Paris — According to preliminary data, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) announced that the beginning of July marked the hottest week on record globally. This record-breaking heat follows the hottest June on record, driven by climate change and the early stages of the El Nino weather pattern. The WMO warned that these unprecedented temperatures, both on land and in the oceans, could have potentially devastating impacts on ecosystems and the environment. Christopher Hewitt, WMO Director of Climate Services, expressed concern about the future, stating, “We are in uncharted territory and we can expect more records to fall as El Nino develops further and these impacts will extend into 2024.”
Furthermore, a separate study highlights the significant loss of human lives caused by extreme temperatures. Last year, during Europe’s record-breaking summer, over 61,000 people died due to the heat. The study calls for increased efforts to protect against even deadlier heat waves projected to occur in the coming months and years.
Europe’s killer summer of 2022
In 2022, Europe experienced its hottest summer on record, as blistering heat waves, droughts, and wildfires gripped the continent. An analysis of temperature and mortality data from 2015 to 2022 revealed that 61,672 deaths were linked to the heat between May 30 and September 4 last year. Italy registered the highest death toll, followed by Spain and Germany.
Furthermore, the majority of deaths occurred among individuals over the age of 80, with women being more impacted. Studies indicate that Europe is warming at a faster rate than the global average. If effective measures are not taken to address rising temperatures, the new study estimates that Europe will face an average of more than 68,000 heat-related deaths every summer by 2030. By 2040, this number could rise to over 94,000, and by 2050, it may exceed 120,000.
“The urgent need for action”
These alarming predictions emphasize the immediate need for action to protect vulnerable populations from the impacts of heat waves. Researchers and experts in the field stress the importance of reevaluating heat prevention strategies, taking into account factors such as gender and age.
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