Heat-related deaths in Europe are expected to increase fivefold by 2100 compared to today, according to a report by the European Union (EU) Commission’s Joint Research Center (JRC).
The JRC report, published in The Lancet Public Health, which examines the impact of climate change on air temperatures in Europe in 27 EU countries plus the UK, Switzerland and Norway, has raised concerns.
The study, which analyzes mortality rates by region for the first time in Europe, found that deaths from heat-related causes will triple on average across the continent by 2100, with some places seeing a fivefold increase.
The report predicts that while 43,729 people die from heat-related causes in Europe today, this number will rise to an average of 128,809 by 2100.
According to the report, deaths due to air temperature will primarily affect the southern regions of Europe by 2100, and deaths due to this reason could increase up to fivefold in Spain, Italy, Greece and Malta, among the EU countries.
It was noted that heat-related deaths in Spain, which are currently 4,414 per year, could increase to 20,194 in 2100.
It was recalled that, according to United Nations studies, if no action is taken against climate change, the temperature in 2100 will be 3 degrees Celsius higher than today.
The JRC warned that in the worst case scenario, temperatures in 2100 could rise by 4 degrees Celsius more than today, and in this case, the number of deaths could be about 9 times higher than today.
On the other hand, the study points out that extreme cold is much more deadly than extreme heat.
The report also emphasized that experts disagree with the view of “climate change deniers” that extreme hot weather can reduce extreme cold and the resulting deaths.
Source : AA
