Heat-related mortality in Europe up 30% in past 20 years, report reveals

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🗞️ Driving the news: Europe has experienced unprecedented heat levels, with 2023 being its warmest or second-warmest year on record, depending on the dataset 
• This heat has caused numerous extreme weather events and a significant increase in heat-related deaths

🔭 The context: The Copernicus Climate Change Service and the World Meteorological Organization's joint report highlights extreme weather patterns including record heat, scarce snowfall, and intense marine heatwaves across Europe
• The continent is warming twice as fast as the global average

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: Europe's rising temperatures affect human health, ecosystems, and economic stability 
• Extreme heat is causing significant glacier ice loss in the Alps and exacerbating wildfires, particularly in Mediterranean regions

⏭️ What's next: The report suggests that the trends of extreme weather and increased temperatures will continue 
• This emphasizes the importance of leveraging science and policy to mitigate the impacts of climate change in Europe and globally

💬 One quote: "The climate crisis is the biggest challenge of our generation 
• The cost of climate action may seem high, but the cost of inaction is much higher," (WMO secretary-general Celeste Saulo)

📈 One stat: Heat-related mortality in Europe has increased by about 30% in the past two decades

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