When it’s hot, we die
As the weather finally cools into something like autumn here in London, it’s more difficult to recall just how hazardous temperatures were across Europe this summer. A timely paper draws our attention to the number of excess deaths caused by 2022’s blistering temperatures.
The authors of Heat-related mortality in Europe during the summer of 2022, drilled into the Eurostat database, which covers 543 million people in 35 European countries.
They found that more than 70,000 excess deaths occurred in Europe during the summer of 2002, with most heat-related deaths occurring in Italy, followed by Spain and Germany Spain.
The study concludes, drily, that “Our results call for a re-evaluation and strengthening of existing heat surveillance platforms, prevention plans and long-term adaptation strategies”.
For more insight, see Heat-related mortality in Europe during the summer of 2022, available here:
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41591-023-02419-z
More cooling needed…but where?
Hotter = adaptation = more air conditioning, right…? But who will need it the most? A paper from our friends at the Smith School, Oxford, helps answer this question.
“Limiting global mean temperature rise to 1.5 °C is increasingly out of reach. Here we show the impact on global cooling demand in moving from 1.5 °C to 2.0 °C of global warming. African countries have the highest increase in cooling requirements.
Switzerland, the United Kingdom and Norway (traditionally unprepared for heat) will suffer the largest relative cooling demand surges. Immediate and unprecedented adaptation interventions are required worldwide to be prepared for a hotter world.”
This has important policy implications. First, each increase in global warming will affect heat exposure and cooling demand worldwide, driving the need for immediate, unprecedented adaptation.
Second, it’s in the interests of Global North and South countries to work together towards achieving the 1.5 °C target, given that they will be most affected by the absolute and relative changes.
To learn more, see Change in cooling degree days with global mean temperature rise increasing from 1.5 °C to 2.0 °C
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41893-023-01155-z
Important information
This document is intended for retail investors and/or private clients. You should not act or rely on this document but should contact your professional adviser.
This document has been issued by Sarasin & Partners LLP of Juxon House, 100 St Paul’s Churchyard, London, EC4M 8BU, a limited liability partnership registered in England and Wales with registered number OC329859, and which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority with firm reference number 475111.
This document has been prepared for marketing and information purposes only and is not a solicitation, or an offer to buy or sell any security. The information on which the material is based has been obtained in good faith, from sources that we believe to be reliable, but we have not independently verified such information and we make no representation or warranty, express or implied, as to its accuracy. All expressions of opinion are subject to change without notice.
This document should not be relied on for accounting, legal or tax advice, or investment recommendations. Reliance should not be placed on the views and information in this material when taking individual investment and/or strategic decisions.
The value of investments and any income derived from them can fall as well as rise and investors may not get back the amount originally invested. If investing in foreign currencies, the return in the investor’s reference currency may increase or decrease as a result of currency fluctuations. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results and may not be repeated. Forecasts are not a reliable indicator of future performance.
Neither Sarasin & Partners LLP nor any other member of the J. Safra Sarasin Holding Ltd group accepts any liability or responsibility whatsoever for any consequential loss of any kind arising out of the use of this document or any part of its contents. The use of this document should not be regarded as a substitute for the exercise by the recipient of their own judgement. Sarasin & Partners LLP and/or any person connected with it may act upon or make use of the material referred to herein and/or any of the information upon which it is based, prior to publication of this document.
Where the data in this document comes partially from third-party sources the accuracy, completeness or correctness of the information contained in this publication is not guaranteed, and third-party data is provided without any warranties of any kind. Sarasin & Partners LLP shall have no liability in connection with third-party data.
© 2024 Sarasin & Partners LLP – all rights reserved. This document can only be distributed or reproduced with permission from Sarasin & Partners LLP. Please contact [email protected].