Thousands Died During Heatwave Intensified by Global Warming
A new scientific analysis has revealed that human-driven climate change was responsible for the majority of deaths during a recent heatwave that swept across Europe. Temperatures surged past 38 °C in numerous cities, leading to closures of tourist attractions, widespread wildfires, and dangerous living conditions—especially in places with limited access to air conditioning.
Researchers from Imperial College London and the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine conducted a rapid analysis of 10 days of extreme heat between June 23 and July 2 in 12 European cities, including Madrid, Athens, Paris, Rome, and London. They compared the recorded temperatures to a modeled scenario without the 1.3 °C rise caused by fossil fuel emissions. Their conclusion: climate change added between 1 and 4 °C to the intensity of the heatwave.
Using heat-related mortality data, the team estimated that approximately 2,300 people died across these cities during that period, and that nearly 1,500 of those deaths—65%—can be directly attributed to global warming. The elderly were especially vulnerable, with people over the age of 65 accounting for 88% of the deaths. Yet, the impact was not exclusive to older adults: nearly 200 of the fatalities were among people aged 20 to 65. In cities like Madrid, climate-driven heat is believed to have caused 90% of the deaths attributed to the heatwave.
Scientists Warn of Deadlier Heat in the Future
The authors of the study emphasized that small increases in high temperatures can lead to dramatic surges in mortality. “Just a few degrees can mean the difference between life and death,” said Ben Clarke, one of the lead researchers. Unlike storms or wildfires, heatwaves often leave no visible damage—making their devastation more silent and less understood.
Experts are urging governments to respond by both addressing the root causes and preparing vulnerable populations. Friederike Otto, a climatologist involved in the study, stressed that shifting to renewable energy, redesigning cities to handle high heat, and safeguarding low-income communities are urgent steps. She warned that unless the world rapidly reduces fossil fuel use, more frequent and lethal heatwaves will become the norm.
Other scientists echoed the findings. Akshay Deoras of the University of Reading, who was not involved in the study, described the research methods as rigorous and the conclusions as clear. Richard Allan, also from Reading, noted that the warming planet is amplifying not just heatwaves, but also other extremes, like catastrophic floods. “Moderate heat is becoming dangerous, and extreme heat is becoming unprecedented,” Allan said.
These findings underscore a growing scientific consensus: as the planet warms, heat-related deaths will continue to rise—especially in urban areas that remain unprepared.
