Climate Change Linked to Nearly 100,000 Deaths During 2023 Heatwaves, Global Study Finds

An Australian-led international study has revealed that the devastating heatwaves of 2023 caused nearly 100,000 deaths attributable to human-induced climate change.

The research, which analyzed data from 2,013 locations across 67 countries, found that 54% of the 178,486 excess deaths—around 23 deaths per million people—were linked to climate change.

The extreme heat events occurred during the hottest year on record, with global temperatures 1.45°C above pre-industrial levels. Southern Europe recorded the highest mortality rates, with 120 deaths per million, while heat-related fatalities were largely concentrated in subtropical and temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere, where prolonged high temperatures worsened cardiovascular, respiratory, and other chronic conditions.

The study, conducted by Monash University and global collaborators, highlights the urgent need for climate mitigation and public health adaptation to prevent further heat-related mortality as global warming intensifies.