Europe Faces Deadly Heat Wave in 2024: Record Heat-Related Deaths Reported
In a scorching summer, Europe grapples with a deadly heat wave that has shattered temperature records and led to a surge in heat-related fatalities. Here are the key points:
Extreme Heat Stress:
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- The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the Copernicus Climate Change Service jointly reported that 2023 was either the joint warmest or second warmest year on record in Europe, depending on the dataset used.
- This led to a record number of days with “extreme stress” across Europe, with a noticeable increase in the frequency of “strong heat stress” days.
- Heat-related mortality has risen by approximately 30% over the past two decades, also affecting 94% of the European regions monitored.
Adverse Health Impacts:
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- The 2023 European State of the Climate report highlighted adverse health impacts caused by extreme weather and climate events.
- Researchers found that members of the public and some health providers also had a low-risk perception of heat exhaustion dangers.
- Early warning systems, including the WMO’s Regional Climate Centre’s Climate Watch, aim to also raise awareness and encourage preparedness.
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Land Temperatures and Rainfall:
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- Land temperatures in Europe were above average for 11 months in 2023, including the warmest September on record.
- Rainfall was 7% higher than average, leading to European rivers flowing at record levels in December.
- High flood thresholds were crossed in one-third of the European river network, also with close to one in seven exceeding “severe” flood thresholds.
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Marine Heatwave:
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- Record sea surface temperatures around Europe reflected the warming trend on land.
- An alarming “marine heatwave” occurred in June in the Atlantic Ocean west of Ireland and around the United Kingdom.
In summary, Europe faces a new normal of extreme weather events, including deadly waves. Adaptation and climate action are crucial to mitigate the impact of rising temperatures on human health and the environment. As Europe grapples with this crisis, early warning systems and also climate adaptation measures become crucial. The cost of climate action may seem high, but the cost of inaction is far greater. Let’s leverage science to find solutions for the good of society.
