Mortality due to hot weather in Europe has increased by 30% over 20 years. About he says in a joint report from the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), a specialized agency of the United Nations, and the European Copernicus Climate Change Service.
It is noted that an increase in the number of deaths due to hot weather has been recorded in 94% of European regions where it is monitored. In 2023 there was a record number of “extreme heat stress” days, which are “felt” as temperatures above 46 degrees Celsius.
The report said 2023 was the “warmest or second warmest year on record, depending on the data set used for the assessment.” Temperatures were higher than ‘ average for 11 months, including the warmest September on record. The average temperature in Europe in 2023 was 1.02 to 1.12 degrees Celsius above average.
Overall, the number of adverse health effects associated with extreme weather and climate events is increasing. According to preliminary estimates, in 2023 in Europe, 63 people will die as a result of storms, 44 as a result of floods and the same number as a result of forest fires. Economic losses related to weather and climate in 2023 are estimated at more than 13.4 billion euros.
