Heatwave last summer killed 61,000 people in Europe, research finds

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🗞️ Driving the news: The catastrophic impact of the unprecedented heatwave last summer is coming to light, with researchers estimating that over 61,000 people across Europe fell victim to the scorching temperatures

🔭 The context: Alarm bells were set off by EU statisticians in August as extreme heat, crippling drought, and uncontrollable fires swept across the continent
• Unusually high mortality rates (primarily concentrated in Italy, Greece, Spain and Portugal)were observed during Europe’s hottest summer on record

🌎 Why does it matter for the planet: With European temperatures rising nearly twice as fast as the global average, the need for immediate and drastic climate action is clear

⏭️ What's next: Governments worldwide are being urged to adopt measures that protect people from extreme heat and reduce planet-warming gas emissions
• Climate scientists are calling for stronger healthcare systems, protection for vulnerable groups, and greater attention towards the potentially fatal impacts of heatwaves

💬 One quote: "In the end it’s the absolute temperature that kills." (Joan Ballester, associate research professor in climate and health at Barcelona Institute for Global Health)

📈 One stat: A total of 61,672 heat-related deaths were recorded in Europe between 30 May and 4 September 2022, with the most intense heatwave claiming 11,637 lives from 18 to 24 July alone

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