Source of danger here and now: the climate crisis has claimed the lives of 370 people in Switzerland in the summer of 2022

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The destabilization of the climate system is no longer a vague threat in the distant future, but a source of danger here and now. One need only look at the recent heatwaves in most regions of the northern hemisphere to see this. This also includes extreme temperatures in Switzerland and the resulting consequences, such as an increased risk of forest fires like those that have occurred in the Upper Valais in recent days. But the heat is also killing people, both in Switzerland and in the rest of Europe. A recent study found that the summer heat wave of 2022 was responsible for 61,000 additional deaths in Europe.

Switzerland did not stand aside. In a study led by Ana Visedo-Cabrera of the University of Bern, which also included our team at ETH Zurich, we found that over 600 people died due to heat waves and that about 370 of those deaths (about 60 percent) could be attributed to anthropogenic global warming. People over 65 were particularly affected, with older women being the most affected. The risk of death was 36 percent higher in older women and 23 percent higher in older men. But younger men (<65 years) also had a 15 percent increased risk of death — higher than younger women.

These results show that our greenhouse gas emissions also affect us. They lead to death in Switzerland, not only in distant countries with limited financial resources. Although Switzerland is a rich country, it is not spared. The climate law, approved by the people in June, has enabled the Swiss government to do more to reduce its impact on the climate. However, this will not be enough.

Switzerland can also influence global greenhouse gas emissions. Many companies based in Switzerland have a big impact on the climate, some of them are also actively trading in fossil fuels. The financial implications of having such firms in Switzerland may seem beneficial to some cantons. But now and in the future, the entire population bears the costs of pollution and the climate crisis caused by the burning of fossil fuels. Switzerland is not an isolated island in Europe, but shares the fate of this continent as temperatures continue to rise year after year.

Source: Blick