A recent study conducted by the Barcelona Institute For Global Health and the French National Institute For Health has revealed the devastating impact of heatwaves in Europe during the summer of 2022.
Italy, Spain, and Germany suffered the highest numbers of heat-attributable deaths, with Italy recording 18,010 fatalities.
The research, published in Nature Medicine, focused on the period between 20 May and 4 September 2022, during which Europe experienced its hottest summer on record, characterized by drought, wildfires, and extreme heat.
The study further highlights that 3,469 people died in the UK due to heat-related causes during the same period. The most severe period of the heatwave occurred between mid-July and mid-August, resulting in a staggering 38,881 deaths across the continent.
Vulnerable populations, particularly older women, were disproportionately affected by the heat. Comparatively, the summer of 2003 remains Europe's deadliest, with over 70,000 excess deaths attributed to heat.
Study author Joan Ballester Claramunt emphasized that although the temperatures in 2022 were not considered exceptional, they revealed an accelerated warming trend over the past decade, necessitating stronger prevention plans and addressing the gaps in vulnerability among different countries and age groups.
The findings also highlight the need to reassess current adaptation strategies, as even countries with active prevention plans experienced a significant loss of life. While cold temperatures historically contribute to more deaths in Europe, the reduction in cold-related mortality due to milder winters is being offset by an increase in heat-related deaths driven by human-induced climate change.
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