More than two-thirds of Europe's population faced heat above 35°C in June

Extreme heat in Europe exposes clash between climate and local way of life
A heat wave that hit Europe in the second half of June brought temperatures above 35°C to areas where around 410 million people live - more than two thirds of the continent's population, according to an analysis by the AFP agency.
The survey considered the period between June 15 and 30 and crossed daily maximum temperature records from the European Drought Observatory with population data from the Center European Union Research Joint.
The scale of the event surpasses the exposure recorded during one of the most notable heat waves in recent European history. In August 2003, when the continent faced 16 consecutive days of extreme heat, around 320 million people experienced temperatures above 35°C, according to calculations made by AFP based on the same databases.
The intense heat recorded in June hit several European countries at a time when authorities expanded health warnings and adaptation measures to deal with increasingly frequent weather events.
Man cools down with a portable fan in Barcelona, Spain, amid where of heat
Nacho Doce / Reuters
Why extreme heat is a health concern
High temperatures for several days in a row represent a risk because they hinder the body's ability to maintain its internal temperature in balance.
When exposed to heat, the body tries to cool itself mainly by producing sweat. The evaporation of this sweat helps reduce body temperature. The problem is that, in extreme conditions - especially when nights remain hot or there is high humidity - this mechanism may not be sufficient.
Overload can cause dehydration, drop in blood pressure, dizziness, mental confusion and heat exhaustion. In more serious situations, heatstroke may occur, when the body loses the ability to control its own temperature and there is a risk of organ damage.
The elderly, young children, people with cardiovascular or respiratory diseases and workers exposed to the sun are among the most vulnerable groups.

Reuters
Europe warms faster than the global average
Episodes of extreme heat have drawn attention because Europe is one of the continents where warming occurs at a faster pace.
According to international organizations that monitor the climate, the increase in the global average temperature influences the frequency and intensity of these events. With a warmer atmosphere, heat waves that were previously less common tend to happen more often, last longer and reach higher peaks.
In addition to the direct impacts on health, prolonged periods of heat increase pressure on hospitals, increase the risk of forest fires, affect crops and increase demand for energy.
Comparison with 2003 shows the change in the scale of these events. That year, the European heat wave was marked by human impact, with thousands of deaths associated with high temperatures. More than two decades later, data indicates that similar episodes could affect an even larger portion of the population.

Source: G1