Climate Threat Global Challenges

Tens of Thousands Die as a Result of Extreme Heat in Europe

In 2024, 62,000 people died from extreme heat in Europe caused by climate change. This is according to a major research report published in The Lancet and to which both Sveriges Radio and TT refer.

According to the report, warnings for extreme heat have increased by 318 percent compared to the 1990s. The number of deaths linked to extreme heat has increased across almost the entire continent.

Maria Nilsson, professor of public health and chair of Lancet Countdown Europe, says according to TT that millions of people are exposed to health risks as a result of climate change.

– The single most important measure is to quickly phase out fossil fuels and reduce emissions – while societies adapt to heat.

Conflicting messages from Merz: Climate policy must not threaten German industry

Germany remains a reliable partner in climate policy – ​​as long as it does not threaten German industry. This is what Chancellor Friedrich Merz said during the Petersberg Climate Dialogue climate conference on Wednesday, reports Tagesschau.

– Climate protection must not become a threat to Germany's industrial base. People will not accept a transformation that leads to deindustrialization and reduced innovation, Merz said according to AFP.

Germany has shown support for the ten EU countries that demand continued free emissions rights when the EU reforms its emissions trading system, writes the Financial Times. The countries believe that otherwise their industries will not be able to cope with the increases in energy costs as a result of the Iran war.

Climate threat The development of democracy in the world
Extreme weather a growing threat to democracy in the world

Extreme weather with floods and fires poses an increasing threat to democratic processes in many parts of the world. That is the conclusion of a new report from the Stockholm-based democracy institute International Idea, AFP reports.

According to the report, at least 94 elections and referendums in 52 countries have been disrupted by extreme weather events in the past 20 years. This includes people being forced to flee so they cannot vote, infrastructure being destroyed or electoral processes having to be changed at the last minute.

The report looks at, among other things, how Hurricane Sandy affected the 2012 US election and how Turkey's election was affected by the great earthquake of 2023.