As a blistering heatwave scorches England and Wales, nearly 600 premature deaths are projected in just days—an outcome scientists say would not be happening without human-driven climate change.
According to a rapid analysis by researchers at Imperial College London, fossil fuel emissions have amplified current temperatures by 2°C to 4°C, making the 32°C highs in southeast England 100 times more likely to occur. Vulnerable populations—particularly those over 65, living in inner-city homes, or with pre-existing health conditions—are expected to bear the brunt of the impact. London and the West Midlands are forecast to experience the highest mortality rates.
“Heatwaves are silent killers,” said Dr. Garyfallos Konstantinoudis, lead researcher. “They rarely show up as a listed cause of death, but their toll is real—and rising.”
Between 2020 and 2024, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) recorded over 10,000 heat-related deaths, yet official advisers recently criticised the government’s preparedness as “inadequate, piecemeal, and disjointed.”
This real-time warning, experts argue, is a wake-up call. As heatwaves become more intense and frequent due to global warming, the UK must treat them not as anomalies, but as recurring and preventable public health emergencies. Read More
News Credit: The Guardian
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