Heatwaves killed over one lakh people in 2023: study

Sydney: A new global study led by Australian researchers has revealed that more than one lakh deaths reported during the 2023 due heatwaves, which were directly linked to human-induced climate change and underscoring the “escalating health crisis” driven by rising global temperatures.

The research, which analyzed data from over 2,000 locations across 67 countries, found that 54 percent of the 1,78,486 recorded heatwave deaths in 2023 were attributable to climate change.

Complementing the study, “Australia’s Climate Risk Report” has sounded the alarm over the increasing vulnerability of millions of homes to rising sea levels and lethal heatwaves, particularly if global warming surpasses 3°C by 2050 and beyond.

The year 2023 was the hottest year on record, with global average temperatures 1.45°C above pre-industrial levels, amplifying the intensity and duration of extreme heat events worldwide.

According to the findings, Southern Europe suffered the highest death rates, followed by Eastern and Western Europe. Most fatalities occurred in subtropical and temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere, where extreme heat aggravated pre-existing cardiovascular and respiratory conditions, leading to widespread health emergencies.

The study highlights that 2023’s record-breaking heatwaves were not isolated incidents but part of a worsening pattern of climate-driven disasters. Researchers warned that without urgent global mitigation efforts, such extreme heat events could become more frequent and deadly.

The report calls for stronger climate adaptation policies, emission reductions, and urban planning reforms to protect lives and infrastructure.

Scientists behind the study emphasized that the findings serve as a stark reminder that climate change is not a distant threat but a present and growing public health emergency, demanding immediate global action to limit warming and safeguard communities worldwide.