The fatal consequences of the heatwave
The latest official data for 27 countries in Europe show staggering statistics: over 10,000 additional deaths were recorded during the heatwave at the end of June. Reuters cites experts who say that such weather phenomena would be "practically impossible" without human intervention and global warming.
The climate crisis is not a future threat. The consequences are here, among us, today. – Ed Miliband, Secretary of State for Energy
Data for England and Wales
A separate study, reported in the "Financial Times", adds even more alarming details:
- 2,700 deaths are directly linked to the heat in May and June in England and Wales.
- Extreme temperatures have a huge impact on healthcare, the economy, and public services.
- Climate change is making heatwaves more frequent and more intense than ever.
The results are a clear warning that preparing to deal with extreme weather conditions is vital for the future of nations.