A new study shows that the number of heat-related deaths in Europe has tripled due to climate change. June 2025 was the hottest June in Western Europe since weather records began. The average temperature was 2.81 degrees above the average value from 1991 to 2020. Two exceptional heatwaves drove temperatures in Spain and Portugal to 46 degrees in some places. The Mediterranean also reached a record high of 27.0 degrees. Worldwide, June was the third warmest ever recorded, with a global average temperature 1.3 degrees above pre-industrial levels. Climate researchers warn that such extreme events will become more frequent and more dangerous in the future. [1,2]
Researchers from Imperial College London and the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine have calculated that climate change has increased the heat by one to four degrees and caused around 1,500 additional deaths – mainly among people over 65. Most of the victims were in Milan, Barcelona and Paris. Researchers also refer to heatwaves as “silent killers”, as their consequences often remain invisible and many deaths are not recorded immediately.
The likelihood of early and deadly heatwaves is increasing due to climate change. Protective measures such as heat action plans, more green spaces and cooling centers are therefore urgently needed. [1]
As of 09.07.2025, 11:00 CEST
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[1] Tagesschau (2025) Schon jetzt dreimal mehr Hitzetote durch Klimawandel. Accessed: 09.07.2025 under: https://www.tagesschau.de/wissen/klima/bilanz-hitzetote-europa-100.html
[2] Tagesschau (2025) Heißester jemals gemessener Juni in Westeuropa. Accessed: 09.07.2025 under: https://www.tagesschau.de/ausland/europa/klima-wetter-copernicus-juni-100.html
(Bildquelle: tagesschau)