Italy heatwave could push temperatures close to European record

illuminem summarizes for you the essential news of the day. Read the full piece here in The Guardian or enjoy below

🗞️ Driving the news: A severe heatwave named Cerberus, caused by an anticyclone, is expected to push temperatures beyond 40C (104F) in Italy this week
• The islands of Sicily and Sardinia are predicted to experience the highest temperatures of around 47-48C

🔭 The context: The impact of extreme heat on human health is more severe than often acknowledged
• It doesn't only cause deaths from heatstroke but also exacerbates pre-existing health conditions like heart and lung diseases, leading to fatalities

🌎 Why it matters for the planet: Europe's temperatures have risen almost twice as fast as the global average due to human activities that increase global warming
• Unless mitigated, the increasing number and intensity of heatwaves signal a more deadly future, underlying the urgency of reducing planet-warming emissions and adapting to higher temperatures

⏭️ What's next: Unless measures are taken to protect people from hotter weather and to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, heat waves will become even more lethal
• Research suggests the need to fortify healthcare systems and prioritize protection for vulnerable groups to reduce the death toll

💬 One quote: “We are talking about people for whom the occurrence of these temperatures triggered their death.” (Prof. Joan Ballester, Barcelona Institute for Global Health)

📈 One stat: During a week in the summer of 2022, the intense heatwave in Europe led to the death of 11,637 people

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