health
Why is Europe still not ready for extreme heat?
The first heatwaves of the season reveal how ill-prepared governments across the continent are to protect people from increasingly dangerous temperatures
TL;DR
- Meteorological summer has begun with record-breaking May heat in western Europe, and another sweltering summer is anticipated, with El Niño expected.
- Previous heatwaves have caused significant excess deaths, particularly because people were not adequately prepared to adjust their behavior.
- Heat causes more deaths in Europe than crime or terrorism, with fossil fuel burning exacerbating heatwave severity.
- Many European countries lack heat-health action plans, and initiatives like greening carparks are considered radical.
- Climate shelters, offering refuge and water, are growing in popularity in cities like Barcelona and spreading across Spain and Europe.
- Challenges with climate shelters include insufficient protection against tropical nights, late openings, and operational issues like reduced hours.
- Northern European countries are expected to face the greatest relative rise in uncomfortable temperatures due to less heat-adapted infrastructure.
- The UK government has recommended installing air conditioning in care homes, hospitals, and schools over the next 10-25 years.
- Individual actions like drawing blinds, drinking water, and checking on neighbors can help mitigate heat risks.