The World Health Organization called on European countries to strengthen measures to protect the population from severe heat waves, warning of the increasing health risks associated with rising temperatures in light of accelerating climate change that makes the European continent the warmest in the world.
The organization’s regional director in Europe, Hans Kluge, confirmed that more than 200,000 people died from heat-related causes during the past four years, describing heat waves as a “silent killer” whose effects can be reduced by applying available preventive measures.
Kluge’s statements came during a special event held in the German capital, Berlin, to discuss ways to confront heat waves, with the participation of German Environment Minister Carsten Schneider and Ina Chibura, health official in the Berlin Senate, with a focus on protecting the elderly and groups most vulnerable to health risks.
Schneider pointed out that the repercussions of climate change have become tangible in various parts of the world, considering that protection from heat waves has also become a social issue, especially for residents of crowded cities and residential areas that are most vulnerable to high temperatures.
He stressed the importance of reducing emissions and expanding green spaces within cities, by increasing the number of trees and gardens and preserving rivers, forests and wetlands, as this has a role in mitigating the effects of increasing heat waves.
These warnings come at a time when fears are mounting about the repercussions of climate change on public health, amid expectations of more record heat waves in the coming years.
