Extreme heat causes over 1,300 European deaths; urban planning and infrastructure need urgent adaptation.
🔗 Read the article on efsyn.gr
[This is an automatically generated summary, for reference only]
Over 1,300 deaths in Europe since June 21st are attributed to extreme temperatures, according to WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. Several European countries, including Germany, Poland, and Czechia, recorded new temperature records exceeding 40 degrees Celsius last week. Extreme heat is described as a “silent killer” because homes, workplaces, and schools are not designed for such conditions. While meteorological models do not predict intense heatwaves in Greece during the first ten days of July, the European heatwave affecting Western Europe is expected to reach parts of Greece like Macedonia and Thessaly with temperatures around 37-38 degrees Celsius. Analysis shows a clear worsening of the climate crisis, with increased frequency of heatwaves. A past extreme event in Athens in 1987 serves as a comparison to current situations, highlighting that preparedness is key; modern infrastructure has improved compared to then. Research indicates that rising temperatures worsen living conditions in densely populated areas of Athens, and energy poverty affects vulnerable groups who cannot afford air conditioning. Solutions proposed include urban redesign focusing on green infrastructure, shade, and improving public spaces. Other European experiences show varied responses: Romania prepared with emergency services and cooling stations; Czechia saw record heat but political reactions were limited to general advice; and Germany’s Greens propose state subsidies for installing solar-powered air conditioning in vulnerable institutions.
