Heat Waves, Climate Change and Urban Mortality

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The impact of heat waves on mortality in 9 European cities: results from the EuroHEAT project (29 page pdf, Environmental Health 2010, 9:37, July 16, 2010)

Also discussed here: Hot Town, Summer in the City: Heat Wave Impact Differs Between Countries (Science Daily, July 15, 2010)

The journal article reviewed today examined heat waves and resulting mortality in European cities.  It foresees an increase in extreme heat events both in duration and intensity as a result of climate change, with varying impacts in different cities. A similar assessment was made for cities in south-central Canada in this report which saw increases on mortality of up to 45% by 2080, especially when the heat is combined with air pollution: Differential and combined impacts of extreme temperatures and air pollution on human mortality in south–central Canada. Part II: future estimates

Key Quotes:

“developing a standardized heat wave definition to estimate and compare the impact on mortality by gender, age and death causes in Europe during summers 1990-2004 and 2003”

“the EuroHEAT project (Improving Public Health Responses to extreme weather/heat-waves)..to develop a standardized definition of a heat wave event and to compare the impact of heat waves in European cities”

“the increase in mortality during heat wave days ranged from +7.6% in Munich to +33.6% in Milan. The increase was up to 3-times greater during episodes of long duration and high intensity.“

“climate change predictions for Europe show an increase in the frequency and the intensity of heat waves, especially in central, southern and eastern areas [3] and as consequence heat-related mortality will become a relevant threat even in cities usually not exposed to extreme hot temperatures.“

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