If in Europe, you are most likely to die of a heatwave in Paris

Paris, the French capital, has been identified as particularly at risk during heatwaves, making it the deadliest city in Europe, according to a study by The Lancet Planetary Health. In other words, Parisians face the highest risk of dying from heat-related causes.

The paper is based on a comprehensive analysis that examined various factors, such as geographical differences and age-specific risks, influencing mortality rates due to extreme temperatures, whether hot or cold.

What makes Paris so hot?

• The situation in Paris can be attributed to two primary factors: inadequate urbanization strategies and the vulnerability of its population due to various factors.

• According to the French National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies (INSEE), the summer of 2022 in France witnessed three consecutive severe heatwaves, which led to an estimated 11,000 deaths.

• In comparison to other cities, Paris faces a 1.6 times higher risk of excess mortality among senior individuals aged 85 and older, as reported by INSEE.

• During the deadly heatwave of 2003, the Paris Region Institute observed temperature differences of up to 10°C.

• The city planning and infrastructure of Paris are to be blamed, to some extent, as they are ill-equipped to handle extreme heat fluctuations, exacerbating the impact of rising temperatures.
• Additionally, factors such as the age distribution and health conditions of the population further increase the susceptibility to heat-related health issues.
• In Paris, heatwaves have also become more frequent and severe.
• Another factor contributing to the high temperatures is the overuse of zinc, a metal that absorbs heat, in roof construction.
• The temperate city is affected by the urban heat island phenomenon, leading to significant temperature disparities between the city and its rural surroundings.

What is an urban heat island?

• Urban heat islands are local and temporary phenomena in which certain pockets within a city experience higher heat(3 to 5 degrees Celsius approx) than its surrounding area due to the abundance of concrete and limited green spaces.

Other findings

• Paris is followed by Amsterdam and Zagreb, on the list of cities with the highest risk of heat-related deaths.
• According to the study, London emerged as the city with the highest risk of cold-related deaths.

Methodology of the study

• The researchers studied data from 854 European cities between December 31, 2019, and January 1, 2000.
• They collected information from sources such as weather reports, demographic statistics of adults aged 20 and above, socio-economic indicators, topographical data, and environmental factors.
• Data was obtained from organizations like Eurostat, Copernicus (the European climate monitoring organization), the Multi-city Collaborative Research Network (MCC), and the NASA satellite network.

Scientists have been cautioning that things will only become worse if people and governments don't take immediate action. Hopefully, a better understanding of these factors can help policymakers and urban planners take appropriate measures to mitigate the impact of extreme temperatures and protect the health and well-being of residents.