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Emergencies
Climate crisis:<BR>extreme weather

Climate crisis:
extreme weather

Unidad Militar de Emergencias (UME)
© Credits

Overview

Leading climate-related causes of death, illness and suffering result from exposure to increasingly frequent and more intense extreme weather events, including heatwaves, wildfires, floods and storm surges, as well as slow-onset events such as droughts.

Heatwaves across Europe are affecting the health and livelihoods of millions of people. In 2022 in the WHO European Region, extreme heat claimed more than 60 000 lives, and by 2050 this could rise to 120 000 heat-related deaths every year. Climate change is increasing the risk of heatwaves, and extreme heat in the summer months is becoming the norm, not the exception.

High temperatures affect the health of many people, particularly older people, infants, people who work outdoors and those who are chronically ill. Heat can trigger exhaustion and heat stroke, and can aggravate existing medical conditions such as cardiovascular, respiratory and kidney diseases or mental disorders.

The adverse health effects of hot weather are largely preventable through good public health practices.



Living through a very hot and dry summer in the European Region

A range of risk communication, awareness and advocacy strategies can help inform communities and decision-makers about how to reduce heat risks during hot weather and adapt society to a hotter future.

Each year, WHO/Europe launches its #KeepCool campaign to remind all people that during periods of hot weather, some simple measures can help them avoid the worst health effects.

#KeepCool in the heat

During periods of hot weather, it is important to keep cool to avoid the negative health effects of heat.

  • Keep out of the heat
    Avoid going out and doing strenuous activities during the hottest time of day. If you are vulnerable to heat, take advantage of opportunities such as special shopping times for older people in the cooler mornings and evenings. Stay in the shade, do not leave children or animals in parked vehicles and, if necessary and possible, spend 2–3 hours of the day in a cool place.

  • Keep your home cool
    Use the night air to cool down your home. Reduce the heat load inside the apartment or house during the day by using blinds or shutters and turning off as many electrical devices as possible.

  • Keep your body cool and hydrated
    Use light and loose-fitting clothing and light bed linen, take cool showers or baths, and drink water regularly while avoiding sugary, alcoholic or caffeinated drinks.

It is important to take care of yourself and to check on family, friends and neighbours who spend much of their time alone. Vulnerable people might need assistance on hot days. If anyone you know is at risk, help him or her to get advice and support.



Strengthening preparedness for and resilience to climate change in the Region

Heat is a growing health risk due to burgeoning urbanization, an increase in high-temperature extremes and demographic changes in countries with ageing populations, like most WHO European Member States.

 

Measures to adapt to future extreme heatwaves include:

  • heat–health action plans that incorporate early warning and response systems for urban and non-urban settings;

  • response strategies targeting both the general population and vulnerable groups such as older adults and people who work outside; and

  • effective stakeholder communication plans.

 

Heat–health action plans are crucial to adaptation to climate change, protecting communities from heat-related death and disease. More than 20 countries in the Region have heat–health plans in place. While this is encouraging, it is not enough to protect all communities. For the plans to be effective, we need strong intersectoral coordination and cooperation. If we are better prepared for a hotter Region, we will save many lives.




Concerted climate action is needed NOW

In the coming decades, growing exposure and vulnerability to heatwaves and other extreme weather events will lead to more suffering, ill health and deaths unless countries take truly drastic adaptation and mitigation measures to tackle climate change.

  • Adaptation means making our health systems and our societies fit to face the future with a changing climate. WHO/Europe issues technical guidance to support national and local authorities in essential preparation for extreme weather events.
  • Mitigation means going beyond preparing for the impacts of climate change to being part of the solution. Our health systems and societies need to be climate-resilient, sustainable and low-carbon. We can do our part by ensuring that climate change is fully integrated, internalized and institutionalized into our health systems, accelerating the delivery of net-zero, sustainable health care to improve individual, societal and planetary health.

 

WHO European Member States have already demonstrated that they can work together effectively on urgent threats to global health. The outcome of the 7th Ministerial Conference on Environment and Health and its Budapest Declaration define the future environment and health priorities and commitments for the Region to 2030 and beyond, with a focus on addressing the health dimensions of the triple environmental crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss and environmental pollution.