Heat-related deaths in Europe increased by 30% in last 20 years

A man wraps his shirt over his face as he tries to extinguish a fire, near the seaside resort of Lindos, on the Aegean Sea island of Rhodes, southeastern Greece, on July 24, 2023. Picture: AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris, File

Three warmest years on record for Europe all occurred since 2020

Heat-related deaths have increased in 94% of European regions over the last two decades, according to a new report.

The latest European State of the Climate report from the EU’s Copernicus Climate Change Service and the World Meteorological Service, published today, also highlighted an extreme marine heatwave off the Irish coast last year.

Last June, sea temperatures in the Atlantic Ocean off the west of Ireland were impacted by a marine heatwave that was classified as ‘extreme’ and in some areas ‘beyond extreme’, with sea surface temperatures as much as 5°C above the average.

The report said that the development of climate mitigation and adaptation measurements must be a priority, with millions of people impacted across Europe last year by extreme weather events.

“According to preliminary estimates for 2023 from the International Disaster Database, last year in Europe, 63 lives were unfortunately lost due to storms, 44 to floods, and 44 to wildfires.

“Weather and climate-related economic losses in 2023 are estimated at more than €13.4bn,” it found.

Among the other findings of the report are:

• Temperatures in Europe were above average for 11 months of the year, including the warmest September on record.
• 2023 saw a record number of days with ‘extreme heat stress’. There is an increasing trend in the number of days with at least ‘strong heat stress’ across Europe.
• Heat-related mortality has increased by around 30% in the past 20 years, but there is a low-risk perception of heat by members of the public, including vulnerable groups and some health care providers.
• One-third of the European river network saw river flows exceeding the ‘high’ flood threshold, and 16% exceeding the ‘severe’ flood threshold.
• The Alps saw exceptional glacier ice loss in 2023, linked to below-average winter snow accumulation and strong summer melt due to heat waves.

Over 2022 and 2023, glaciers in the Alps have lost around 10% of their remaining volume.

The five warmest years on record for Arctic land have all occurred since 2016.

Copernicus director Carlo Buontempo said: 'In 2023, Europe witnessed the largest wildfire ever recorded, one of the wettest years, severe marine heatwaves and widespread devastating flooding.'

Copernicus director Carlo Buontempo said: “In 2023, Europe witnessed the largest wildfire ever recorded, one of the wettest years, severe marine heatwaves and widespread devastating flooding.

“Temperatures continue to increase, making our data ever more vital in preparing for the impacts of climate change.”

The report noted that Europe is the world’s fastest-warming continent, with temperature increases being twice the normal worldwide average rate.

“The three warmest years on record for Europe have all occurred since 2020,” said the report.

World Meteorological Organisation secretary general Celeste Saulo said that the global climate crisis is the biggest challenge of this generation.

“The cost of climate action may seem high, but the cost of inaction is much higher.

“As this report shows, we need to leverage science to provide solutions for the good of society,” she said.