By the end of the century, the number of heat deaths could increase several times over

Climate change will significantly increase heat-related mortality over the next 75 years, posing an unprecedented challenge to public health systems – this is the overall conclusion of a study commissioned by the European Commission, the results of which are published by Lancet Public Health.

Heat has already killed almost 200 people in the Balearic Islands

About 190 people have died this year in Mallorca and its neighbouring islands due to heat, experts say. While it is known that extreme temperatures can lead to serious health problems and even death, they are rarely officially recognised as a cause of death.

The study authors examined the current and estimated future risk of heat-related deaths based on observed weather conditions between 1991 and 2020 and for four climate change scenarios assuming a temperature increase of 1.5, 2, 3 and 4 degrees Celsius by 2100 in 1,368 European regions in 30 countries (27 EU Member States plus Norway, Switzerland and the United Kingdom, excluding overseas territories). In formulating their predictions, they took into account, among other things, the age of the population and local socio-economic conditions.

Man is changing the climate, people are dying

The data presented aims to help authorities “mitigate growing health inequalities, prioritizing the protection of areas at increased risk (southern Europe) and older population groups”.

Researchers have estimated that one-third of heat-related deaths can be attributed to anthropogenic climate change, and increased mortality is observed on every continent.