Heatwave death toll exceeds 2,700 in England and Wales
More than 2,700 people died from heat-related causes during record-breaking heatwaves in May and June, according to researchers from Imperial College London, the Met Office and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM). The study found that 2,700 excess deaths occurred in England and Wales during the two hot spells, with 42% of these deaths attributed to the extra heat caused by human activity, primarily the burning of fossil fuels.
Climate change significantly increased mortality
The analysis used peer-reviewed methods to produce near-real-time estimates of deaths. It compared actual mortality during the heatwaves with a modelled scenario without human-induced climate change. The results showed that 59% of the 550 deaths in May (327 people) and 38% of the 2,200 deaths in June (825 people) were attributable to climate change. Maximum daytime temperatures were 3C to 4C hotter than they would have been without global warming, according to the research.
Record temperatures and ongoing heatwave
Temperatures peaked at 35.1C in May and exceeded 37C in June, accompanied by high humidity. The news comes as parts of the UK continue to experience heatwave conditions, with temperatures expected to peak on Thursday, July 16, according to BBC Weather. The Met Office warned that heatwave thresholds may continue to be met, especially in the South West of England, though some areas will begin to cool.
Health impacts and expert warnings
High temperatures are associated with health risks including heat exhaustion, heat stroke, stress on the heart and kidneys, and worsening chronic conditions such as heart disease, lung conditions and diabetes. They also exacerbate mental health issues, violence, and increase the risk of drowning. Dr Mark McCarthy of the Met Office described the two heatwaves as “exceptional”, noting that May daytime temperatures were widely 15C above average for the month in England and Wales, and night-time records were also set. He said: “They were extreme heatwaves for the UK, and for all parts of western Europe and they’re particularly exceptional for the timing and how early in the year they occurred. This combination of extreme daytime heat, high humidity and hot nights all act to really contribute and increase the impact these heatwaves have on our infrastructure, on transport, agriculture and particularly on our health and wellbeing.”
Need for adaptation and preparedness
Dr Clair Barnes from Imperial College London warned that heatwaves are the “most dangerous kind of extreme weather” and that the UK now lives in a country with dangerously hot summers. She urged people to recognize that climate-change fuelled heat is claiming lives, disrupting schools and hospitals, and shutting down transport and infrastructure. The independent Climate Change Committee has warned that the UK is unprepared for extreme heat, with 92% of homes expected to overheat by mid-century. The committee has called for maximum temperature rules in workplaces and air conditioning in hospitals, care homes, and schools.
