Comment on European heatwave

Commenting on the extreme heat conditions being experienced in Southern Europe, as well as other parts of the world including the US and China [1] Gareth Redmond-King, Head of International Programme at the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit (ECIU) said: “Heatwaves in Europe have been given names from the underworld, but the heat hell is worldwide at the moment. These extremes are dangerous; last year’s record heat claimed almost 3,500 lives in the UK alone. [2]

“But we live in a globalised world. Even as Britain experiences a gloomy and relatively cool July, the extreme heat and droughts, torrential rains and flooding around the world have a direct hit for us too. We import half our food - half of that comes from climate vulnerable countries. As harvests are hit by climate disasters, supplies are constrained and prices rise.

“If we don’t halt heating at 1.5°C by getting to net zero, and support the nations that supply our food to adapt to these extremes, then we’ll pay the price at the supermarket, in empty shelves and higher prices.”

ENDS

Notes to editors:

1. Extreme heat hits Europe, south-west US and China: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/world-66207430
2. Recent analysis of heat-related mortality in Europe during the summer of 2022 estimated there to be over 61,000 heat-related deaths: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41591-023-02419-z

For more information or for interview requests:

George Smeeton, Head of Communications, ECIU, Tel: 07894 571 153, email: george.smeeton@eciu.net