Deathly Heat Wave in Europe Breaks Records

The continent of Europe was struck by a heat wave peaking from June 24 to 29. This was the second major heat wave in two months, the first striking from May 22 to 27.

Spain and most of Western Europe have had temperatures shooting over 38˚C (100˚F). Britain reached 36.4˚C (97.5˚F) while France hit 39.6˚C (103.3˚F).

Worldwide, temperatures have been increasing also, causing the past May to be the second hottest in 177 years. The Dadu district in Pakistan has set a new May heat record of 51.5˚C (125˚F), while parts of India reached 50˚C (122˚F).

This temperature spike is caused by climate change and burning fossil fuel, experts say. Many European countries were not prepared for this heat wave, as many buildings lack air conditioning and are designed to trap heat, not release it. Roughly 20% of European homes have air conditioning, according to the International Energy Agency, while 90% of Americans do. In France, about 120,000 homes’ electricity was cut, and a nuclear plant was shut down since the water used to cool down the reactor was too hot.

Researchers say this has led to a spike in death rates, also emphasizing the connection between long-term diseases and intense heat. Christopher Callahan, Assistant Professor with Paul H. O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs, Indiana University Bloomington, has estimated in a New Science interview that about 20,390 people have died from the heat wave. Cases have varied, from heat stroke to drowning while seeking relief from the heat.

This temperature spike is caused by climate change and burning fossil fuel, experts say. This heat wave has caused many problems due to the insufficiently prepared infrastructure and global warming, resulting in many deaths that experts say could have been prevented with the right preparation. Many citizens are hoping for officials and the local governments to propose a long-term solution that can prevent this from happening again.