As rising temperatures in Europe take a toll on human health, WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus called on world leaders to “prioritize investments in climate-resilient health systems”.
“Leaders must prioritize investments in climate-resilient health systems while accelerating climate action and mitigating the drivers of the climate crisis”said Tedros.
To protect people, the WHO is urging authorities to make cities cooler, provide access to water and shade, screen those most at risk and prepare health systems before temperatures peak.
Europe’s heatwave is closing schools and putting people’s health at risk.
The data are clear: temperatures across Europe are rising at roughly twice the global average rate, increasing the likelihood and severity of extreme heat in the future.
We cannot afford further delay.
— Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (@DrTedros) June 24, 2026
Europe is the region with the fastest warming globally. In the past 4 years alone, heat has claimed more than 200,000 lives, while heat-related mortality has increased by 30% over the past 20 years.
“Temperatures across Europe are rising at roughly twice the global average rate, increasing the likelihood and severity of extreme heat in the future.” Tedros added.
With heat stressing human bodies, “heat is no longer just a weather story,” the WHO said. “It’s a health emergency.”
