Climate change is no longer just an environmental problem for the distant future; Today, it is a global crisis that directly threatens human health, cities, food and water security. According to the World Health Organization, climate change could lead to approximately 250 thousand additional deaths per year between 2030 and 2050 due to heat stress, malnutrition, malaria and diarrhea alone. The extreme heat experienced in Europe at the end of June revealed the extent of the danger. At least 3,700 additional deaths were recorded in France, Belgium and the Netherlands during the heatwave between 20 and 28 June alone.
HEALTH THREAT
According to experts, this picture shows that the climate crisis is not just an environmental problem that future generations will face. Extreme heat increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases, respiratory problems, kidney failure and emergency applications due to dehydration. Long-term heat waves can have fatal consequences, especially for the elderly, babies, pregnant women, those with chronic diseases, those working in open areas, those living in poor neighborhoods and groups that do not have access to cooling facilities. As the temperature increases, night cooling weakens in cities, and the heat retained by concrete and asphalt prevents the human body from recovering. For this reason, heat waves become a risk to public health not only during the day but also at night.
DEATHS ARE INCREASING
The heat wave experienced in Europe at the end of June was one of the most concrete examples of this risk. According to data cited by Reuters, at least 3,700 additional deaths were reported in France, Belgium and the Netherlands during extreme heat between 20 and 28 June 2026. While 2,025 additional deaths were recorded in France, approximately 1,200 additional deaths were reported in Belgium and approximately 480 in the Netherlands. In France, deaths in the same period increased by 29 percent compared to the previous week; The increase in deaths occurring at home reached 91 percent.
RECORD TEMPERATURE VALUES
Extreme heat did not only increase the number of deaths; It also put pressure on healthcare systems, energy infrastructure and city life. Temperature records were broken in many European countries. A new record was measured for June in England with 37.7 degrees, 41.7 degrees was reached in Germany, the June record was broken with 39.4 degrees in the Netherlands, and the temperature rose to 42 degrees in Hungary. In some regions in France, the temperature rose above 40 degrees. Extreme heat also strained electricity production and transportation infrastructure; The pressure on roads, rails, power lines and cooling systems increased.
THE PLANET IS GIVING THE ALARM
The situation is also getting worse on a global scale. Lancet Countdown’s 2025 report stated that the heat-related death rate has increased by 23 percent since the 1990s and reached 546 thousand deaths per year. In the same report, it was stated that the estimated number of deaths due to fine particulate matter pollution caused by forest fire smoke in 2024 increased to 154 thousand. These data show that the climate crisis is not limited to temperature increase only; It also shows that it affects human life through fire smoke, air pollution, water and food safety, infectious diseases and the burden on health infrastructure.
IT GOT ITS SHARE IN Türkiye
For Türkiye, the risk is even more concrete. According to Lancet Countdown’s Türkiye policy priorities note, people in Türkiye were exposed to an average of 33.6 heat wave days in 2024; It was calculated that 27.3 of these days would not be expected without climate change. According to the same evaluation, in the period 2014-2023 People in Türkiye were exposed to moderate or higher levels of heat stress for approximately 255 hours per year during light outdoor activities. This data reveals that the temperature increase is not just a meteorological indicator, but directly affects daily living and working conditions.
IT HAS TURNED INTO A RISK TITLE
In the 2025 climate report of the General Directorate of Meteorology, it was stated that the number of heat waves across Türkiye increased compared to normal. According to the report, a heat wave was seen across the country in 2025; The highest number of heat waves was recorded in Tokat with 5. While the average number of heat waves according to Türkiye’s 1991-2020 norms was in the range of 1-2, these values were exceeded in many stations in 2025. This shows that heat waves are no longer exceptional events but have become a more frequently recurring risk topic.
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