Climate change makes European heatwaves three times as deadly
Climate change tripled the death toll from the recent European heatwave, according to new research by WWA and the KNMI.
Published on July 9, 2025
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A recent study by World Weather Attribution estimates that last month's heatwave in Europe, accelerated by climate change, caused three times as many deaths. The heatwave affected 12 European cities, including Paris and Milan, and estimates show that without global warming, around 1,500 of the 2,300 deaths could have been prevented. Climate change has increased the heat by 2 to 4 degrees Celsius, leading to severe heat stress, particularly among vulnerable groups, such as the elderly. This research underscores the pressing need for effective climate action to mitigate global warming and the severe consequences of such extreme weather events.
Impact of climate change on extreme weather events
Climate change is having a noticeable impact on the global climate, leading to more frequent and intense extreme weather events.
These changes have caused global average temperatures to rise by approximately 1.1°C since the 19th century, mainly due to human activities such as greenhouse gas emissions. These rising temperatures increase the frequency and severity of heat waves, floods, and storms, with serious consequences for public health and economic stability.
European heat waves and health effects
The World Weather Attribution (WWA) research collective, of which the KNMI is a member, showed that the recent European heat wave led to 2,300 premature deaths due to rising temperatures influenced by climate change. WWA found that heat waves increase thermal stress by 2 to 4 degrees Celsius, which particularly affects the elderly and people with underlying health problems. This highlights the invisible but destructive impact of heat waves, which do not manifest themselves in visible destruction such as storms, but indirectly through an increase in deaths.
Consequences for global public health
Researchers used historical temperature data to determine how many deaths there would have been without climate change. This study was conducted in 12 European cities, including Paris and Milan, and indicated that climate change may have caused three times as many deaths as would otherwise have been the case. The scientists emphasized that long-term temperature rises lead to higher mortality rates.
Experts criticize the lack of adequate measures to cope with such heat waves. An urgent call has been made to governments worldwide to take more meaningful climate action. Criticism also includes the inadequacy of current climate policy measures to effectively prevent heat-related deaths on such a scale. Implementing stricter environmental legislation and investing in renewable energy sources are crucial to limiting the impact of future heatwaves.
Heat waves cause significant public health problems and put pressure on healthcare systems. The increase in deaths during heat waves serves as a warning of the need to improve infrastructure to better protect people from extreme weather. The World Health Organization is calling for conscious plans to protect vulnerable groups, especially in densely populated urban areas, which are more susceptible to heat-related illnesses.
