New research highlights that millions of Europeans could face heat-related deaths by the end of the century due to rising temperatures. The study, conducted by the London School of Hygiene and based on computer simulations in 854 European cities, estimates that up to 2.3 million people in Europe could die from extreme heat by 2100. While currently, cold weather causes more fatalities than heat, the deaths from cold are expected to decline as temperatures rise, whereas heat-related deaths are predicted to surge significantly.
To mitigate these potential deaths, researchers advocate for improved carbon pollution reduction and enhanced cooling systems across Europe, especially in climate hotspots like Italy, southern Spain, and Greece. The study reveals that Malta could see an increase of 269 temperature-related deaths per 100,000 people, while Ireland may experience a slight decline to 15 per 100,000. Additionally, cities like Barcelona, Rome, and Naples are projected to face significant death tolls due to temperature increases. Overall, the study suggests that while heat-related deaths may rise by 5.8 million, cold-related deaths could decrease by 3.5 million by the century’s end.
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