The Guardian view on extreme heat: its scale should be a wake-up call to us all
With thousands dead across Europe this summer, it's time to recognize heatwaves as the major natural disasters they are
TL;DR
- Thousands have died across Europe due to early summer heatwaves, with death tolls for later heatwaves yet to be counted.
- Heatwaves are rarely framed as major natural disasters despite their significant death tolls, unlike floods or earthquakes.
- Reasons for underestimation include their prolonged nature, lack of immediate drama, and the vulnerability of those who die.
- Reporting should balance 'fun in the sun' imagery with the realities of disrupted transit and dangerous living conditions.
- Making heatwave deaths more granular with personal details and reporting tolls closer to the event could increase visibility.
- Public perception needs to shift from viewing heatwaves as unlikely personal threats to serious problems linked to the climate crisis.
- Better communication of risks and adaptation measures to vulnerable groups, particularly the elderly, is crucial.
- Fostering a sense of community responsibility, inspired by pandemic responses, can help support those at risk.
- A pilot project in Seville, Spain, successfully named and categorized heatwaves, improving early warnings and news coverage.