Recently, a severe heatwave across Europe has caused the deaths of at least 2,300 people in only 10 days. A new study revealed that about 1,500 of these deaths were directly caused by human-induced climate change.
The research was conducted across 12 European cities, including Barcelona, Madrid, London, and Milan, home to more than 30 million people. It showed that the intensity of the heatwave in these cities increased by 2 to 4 degrees Celsius due to climate change.
From June 23 to July 2, temperatures in many parts of Spain exceeded 40 degrees Celsius. France also experienced devastating wildfires.
Researchers stated that climate change is making the weather more dangerous. This 2 to 4 degree rise in temperature is proving deadly for the elderly, sick, children, outdoor workers, and the homeless.
The impact of heat is even worse in urban areas because asphalt roads and buildings absorb and retain heat. Most deaths occur indoors or in hospitals, which do not immediately appear in official statistics.
Meanwhile, the European Union’s Copernicus Climate Change Service reported that June 2025 was the third hottest month in recorded history, with record heat especially in Western Europe.
Experts warn that due to climate change, heatwaves will become more frequent and intense. They call for urgent steps to build protective infrastructure in cities and raise public awareness.
Source: Al Jazeera