News
Experts ask focus on action, not on differences in heat-related death counts
01 Aug 2023Experts have shared their opinion about why heat mortality figures can differ for one location. Without one perfect and absolute way to measure heat-related deaths, counts depend on the approach used and the availability high-quality data. Yet, all numbers point to high levels of excess heat-related mortality. The main challenge is not to improve the precision of heat-death calculations, but to identify and implement solutions to reduce mortality and other heat impacts.
Over 61,000 excess deaths quantified in Europe due to heat in record summer 2022
28 Jul 2023Heat in the 2022 summer caused more than 61,000 excess heat-related deaths among the European population, according to a recent study published in Nature Medicine.
Adoption of Budapest Declaration leveraging action on health challenges related to climate change
27 Jul 2023At the 7th Ministerial Conference on Environment and Health, organised by the World Health Organization Regional Office for Europe (WHO/EU) early July 2023, health and environment ministers of countries of the WHO European Region adopted the Budapest Declaration. The declaration prioritizes urgent, wide-ranging action on health challenges related to climate change, environmental pollution and biodiversity loss.
Climate-Health Cluster joint session at conference on connecting Health & Climate Change
26 Jul 2023The Climate-Health Cluster, including the BlueAdapt, CATALYSE, CLIMOS, HIGH Horizons, IDAlert and TRIGGER projects, organizes a joint session on “Health Impacts of Climate Change: a way forward with the Climate-Health Cluster" at the ENBEL 2023 conference.
EC launches call to award promising practices on mental health
25 Jul 2023The European Commission is calling for promising and implemented best practices, i.e., relevant policies or interventions, focusing on mental health promotion, prevention, detection and intervention – including those responding to climate change induced challenges.
4-day forecast viewers of air pollutants accessible in Observatory
24 Jul 2023The Observatory now provides direct access to 4-day forecast viewers of ground-level concentrations of air pollutants, including particulate matter with a diameter of 2.5 μm or less (PM2.5), particulate matter with a diameter of 10 μm or less (PM10) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2), provided by the Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS). When surpassing critical levels, these concentrations can be harmful for human health and well-being. Climatic changes can affect peak as well as daily or annual concentrations in different ways.
Increasing tree coverage to 30% in European cities could reduce deaths linked to urban heat island effect
23 Jun 2023Global warming and the expansion of the built environment are expected to intensify the urban heat island (UHI) effect, and related adverse health impacts. A new study shows that an increasing tree coverage to 30% would lower temperatures by an average 0.4°C, avoiding about 1.8% of all summer deaths in European cities, and nearly 40% of deaths attributable to UHI effects.
New analysis indicates European cities and countries with highest expected losses from future flooding
23 Jun 2023This study provides useful quantification of future flood risk in Europe by integrating climate, socio-economic and private precaution scenarios, offering a detailed overview of risk drivers, trends and hotspots. This large-scale assessment is valuable for multi-scale risk-based flood adaptation planning by policymakers and states within Europe.
WHO appoints first-ever Director-General Special Envoy for Climate Change and Health
22 Jun 2023The World Health Organization (WHO) appoints Dr Vanessa Kerry as the first-ever Director-General Special Envoy for Climate Change and Health with the aim to amplify WHO's climate and health messaging and advocacy. The appointment comes in a crucial year for the intersection of climate change and health, with the first day dedicated to health at the COP28 summit on 3 December. It recognizes health at the forefront of climate discussions to safeguard the well-being of current and future generations.
UEMO expresses need to address climate change as a health priority
20 Jun 2023UEMO, the European union of general practitioners/family physicians, expresses in a recent policy paper its support for the EU Climate Law. UEMO sees a crucial role for itself in advocating for policies that promote public health and address the urgent challenges posed by climate change. With the paper, UEMO reinforces its commitment to protecting public health and emphasizes the importance of addressing climate change as a health priority and prioritizing health equity.