Temperature Rising: Death Toll Reaches New High in England

More than 4,500 people died in England in 2022 due to the scorching heat, marking the highest figure on record. This staggering number is part of a troubling trend, as the number of heat-related deaths has been on the rise over the years. According to data from the Office for National Statistics, almost 52,000 deaths associated with the hottest days were recorded in England between 1988 and 2022, with a third of them occurring since 2016.

The mortality risk increased across all regions in England when the temperatures exceeded 22C, with London registering the highest rate. In fact, the mortality risk in the capital for temperatures over 29C was three times that recorded for temperatures considered optimal, which is between 9C and 22C. This alarming trend is not unique to England, as more than 2,000 people died in Wales due to the warm temperatures during the same period.

Globally, the summer of 2023 was the hottest ever recorded, with average global temperatures between June and August reaching record levels. August was about 1.5C warmer than the preindustrial average for 1850 to 1900. This unprecedented heatwave impacted Europe, where heatwaves in 2022 killed more than 61,000 people, with the highest rates in Italy, Greece, Spain, and Portugal.

Scientists have said that breaking heat records has become more normal, and the human-caused climate crisis makes prolonged and intense heatwaves more likely. Experts warn that multiple-day heatwaves are the biggest threat for human health because there is not a break in high temperatures. The body starts recovering only when temperatures drop below 27C. While more people die due to cold than high temperatures, the number of heat-related deaths is increasing, and experts are urging governments to take action to mitigate the impact of climate change.

Meanwhile, the UK government’s recent decision to dilute its commitment to net zero and reduce greenhouse gas emissions is a cause for concern. As Professor Antonio Gasparrini of the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine noted, “This is a stark warning that this will become the norm due to climate change, and it makes even more urgent the need to implement adequate climate and public health measures.” The report serves as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of climate change and the urgent need for governments to take action to protect public health.