A recent report from the Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal) has revealed that over 47,000 people died across Europe in 2023 due to extreme heat.
Southern European countries like Greece, Bulgaria, Italy, and Spain are the most affected.
Despite this high death toll, it’s a significant decrease from the over 60,000 heat-related fatalities recorded the previous year, marking 2022 as the hottest year on record globally.
ISGlobal’s research highlights the crucial role of adaptation measures implemented over the past two decades, such as early warning systems and enhanced healthcare services. These initiatives have reportedly reduced the potential death toll by 80%.
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“Our findings illustrate the progress in societal adaptation to high temperatures in the 21st century, significantly lowering the heat-related vulnerability and mortality, especially among the elderly,” stated Elisa Gallo, the study's lead researcher.
The study analyzed death and temperature data from 35 European countries, emphasizing Europe’s status as the fastest-warming continent and the increasing health risks of rising temperatures.
The report underscores the importance of ongoing and future adaptation strategies to safeguard public health as global temperatures rise due to climate change.
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