Europe

With fast warming and an aging population, Europe has become vulnerable to heatwaves. More air conditioning could help, but has set off a debate over climate change culprits and if better solutions ar...

• Europe is the fastest-warming continent, with average temperatures rising 2.2°C above pre-industrial levels—double the global average of 1.2°C.
• Over 20% of Europe's population is aged 65 or older, making it the world's oldest region and highly vulnerable to heat-related illness and death.
• Heat-related mortality in Europe has increased by 30% over the last two decades, with the 2022 heatwaves causing over 60,000 excess deaths.