The new international study determined that climate change caused by human activity was responsible for about 1,500 additional deaths during the recent heat wave, which struck Europe at the end of June. A study conducted by scientists from the Imperial College of London and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine is the first to calculate excess mortality from heat associated with climate change in one extreme episode.
The analysis was concentrated on the 12 main European cities, including Madrid and Barcelona, within ten days of extreme temperatures from June 23 to July 2. According to experts, global warming, mainly caused by the burning of fossil fuel and cutting down forests, increased the temperature of the heat wave between 1 and 4 degrees Celsius higher, which would be normal in the world without climate.
In total, researchers believe that about 2300 people from a strong heat died in these cities. Of these, approximately 1,500 deaths – 65% of excess mortality – are directly related to global warming. In Barcelona, the study calculates that 286 deaths from excessive heat were the result of climate change, while in Madrid the figure is 108.
The most affected city in absolute terms was Milan, with 317 fatal cases associated with excessive heat from climate change, while Madrid is distinguished in relative terms, since more than 90% of the deaths associated with heat in Spanish capital belong to global warming. On the contrary, Lisbon was the least injured city in proportion to, and only 23% of deaths from the heat are directly related to climate change.
The study also shows that more than 80% of the grades from heat occurred between people for more than 65 years, which emphasizes the special vulnerability of this group of the population in the face of heat waves, enhanced by climate change.
“Change in climate mat. This enhances thermal waves and leads to a limitation of vulnerable people, ”said one of the professors of the college empire, Garifolla Konstantinudi after he reported the results.
Unusually early
Researchers warn that the 2025 thermal wave arrived unusually at the beginning of the season, which made it even more deadly, since the population was not acclimatized at such high temperatures. In addition, they emphasize that the events of such a value that were previously exceptional, can now be expected every 2-5 years in most of the cities analyzed in most of global warming.
Even a slight increase in temperature can lead to large rebukes of mortality, especially among people with previous health problems. Scientists warn that the real impact on heat is usually underestimated, since many deaths are not notified, and official data may take months to be published. The climatologist Frederick Otto warns that the only way to prevent even more deadly heat waves is to “burn fossil fuel and protect the most vulnerable.”
The authors insist on the urgency of the implementation of actions and systems of early warning, as well as adapt cities with a large number of green spaces and climatic shelters to protect the most vulnerable population from the planned increase in extreme heat in the coming decades.
“The rhythm to which the planet is heated will not disappear, and we must prepare for its influence on public health care,” concludes the researcher of the London school of hygiene and tropical medicine Pierre Massolot. “The cities can adapt by planting trees, reducing the space for cars and the fascination with the most vulnerable – insists on scientists – but, ultimately, the best way to avoid catastrophic consequences is to aggressively reduce greenhouse gases emissions.”
