Extreme Heat Leads to High Mortality Rates Across Europe
This summer marked a concerning trend in Europe as extreme heat contributed to substantial mortality rates, particularly among the elderly, with older individuals constituting 85 percent of the estimated excess heat-related deaths. Researchers assert that these conditions stem from climate change, which has raised the average temperature of Europe’s largest cities by 2.2 degrees Celsius compared to the pre-industrial era, reports 24brussels.
The summer of 2025 was recorded as the third hottest on record, as confirmed by the EU’s Copernicus Climate Change Service. The extreme heat poses significant risks not only to the general population but especially to those aged 65 and over who are particularly vulnerable due to underlying health conditions such as heart disease and diabetes.
According to the study, the increasing temperatures during heat waves can lead to life-threatening situations. Garyfallos Konstantinoudis, a lecturer at the Grantham Institute for Climate Change and contributor to the study, stated, “An increasing heat wave temperature of just 2 to 4 degrees [Celsius] can mean the difference between life and death for thousands of people. This is why heat waves are known as silent killers.”
However, the reported death toll is likely an underestimate, as the findings were based on data from only 854 cities with populations exceeding 50,000 across the EU and the U.K., which includes merely about 30 percent of Europe’s total population. This limitation indicates that the full extent of the impact of climate-associated heat waves may be significantly greater.
The ongoing climate crisis necessitates urgent attention to safeguard the most vulnerable populations in Europe. Authorities are called upon to implement preventive measures and strategies tailored to mitigate the effects of future heat waves. As climate change continues to evolve, the implications for public health and safety in urban environments remain critical and must be prioritized.
