Europe is experiencing accelerated warming compared to other continents, and the rising temperatures pose a lethal threat

Europe is undergoing a warming trend at twice the rate of the Earth as a whole, and this surge in temperature is proving deadly, according to a recent report by European climate experts.

Over the past two decades, the number of heat-related fatalities on the continent has surged by at least 30%, as estimated by Europe's Copernicus Climate Change Service and the United Nations.

José Álvaro Silva of the U.N.'s World Meteorological Organization highlights the pronounced impact on human health, particularly in urban areas where most people reside. Cities experience a more significant warming effect due to their concentration of buildings and roads, which retain heat for extended periods.

The summer of 2023 exemplified the perilous consequences of extreme heat in Europe. A July heatwave brought scorching temperatures and stifling humidity, resulting in "feels like" temperatures of 110 degrees Fahrenheit or higher across nearly half of Southern Europe.

Such extreme conditions can prove fatal, especially for those lacking access to air conditioning. While the final death toll from the 2023 heatwave is still being assessed, researchers anticipate it to be in the tens of thousands, with one study suggesting upwards of 60,000 premature deaths.

Chris Hewitt, head of the World Meteorological Organization, underscores that extreme heat poses the greatest mortality risk among all forms of extreme weather.

Europe's rapid warming can be attributed to several factors. Its proximity to the rapidly warming Arctic, coupled with warm ocean and atmospheric currents, accelerates temperature rise. Samantha Burgess, deputy director of the Copernicus Climate Change Service, notes that Europe is experiencing increasingly frequent temperature records being broken.

To mitigate the heat threat, many European cities are ramping up efforts to ensure residents have access to air conditioning and reliable electricity, particularly during peak heat days. The transition to solar and wind energy sources is promising, with Europe generating more electricity from renewables than from fossil fuels for the second consecutive year in 2023.

This shift away from fossil fuels not only helps reduce emissions of greenhouse gases but also aids in curbing future deadly warming episodes.