Leaders | Global warming

Simple steps to stop people dying from heatwaves

As much of the world roasts, don’t despair

A woman splashes her face with water to cool off during a hot summer day in New Delhi, India on June 17th 2024
Photograph: Getty Images

WHEN A HEATWAVE in Europe killed more than 70,000 people in 2003, it was seen as a once-in-a-millennium event. Today, experts say, such blistering heat can be expected once a decade. Worldwide, last year the months of June, July and August were the hottest on record. August 2023 was on average 1.5°C hotter than the same month between 1850 and 1900. This year could be even worse.

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This article appeared in the Leaders section of the print edition under the headline “Hot and bothered”

From the June 29th 2024 edition

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