Overview

• A study published in Nature Medicine projects over 2.3 million additional temperature-related deaths in European cities by 2099 due to climate change.
• Mediterranean cities like Barcelona, Rome, and Naples are forecasted to experience the highest death tolls, with Barcelona potentially seeing nearly 246,000 fatalities.
• While northern Europe may see slight decreases in cold-related deaths, these reductions are far outweighed by rising heat-related mortality in southern and central Europe.
• Researchers emphasize the need for aggressive carbon emission reductions and adaptive measures like increased green spaces and cooling centers to mitigate impacts.
• Up to 70% of projected deaths could be avoided with urgent climate action, but even under optimistic scenarios, a net increase in temperature-related deaths is expected.