Meanwhile, France is counting the human cost of the heatwave, which began in mid-June and ended (temporarily?) with violent thunderstorms over the weekend, AP reported.
View image in fullscreenLightning strikes over the Eiffel Tower during a thunderstorm in Paris, London. Photograph: Dimitar Dilkoff/AFP/Getty ImagesPublic Health France reports a surge in deaths, particularly among older people. Last week, deaths exceeded 1,200 on Wednesday and rose to over 1,400 on Thursday, AP reported, and Friday, hundreds more than usually.
The authorities expect these numbers to rise as more death certificates are processed, showing the very real and tragic consequences of human-made climate change.
The red extreme heat alert ends today, but the country’s prime minister Sébastien Lecornu will still chair a cross-governmental crisis meeting later today to discuss the events of the last week.
The meeting will also look to draw lessons that could help prepare for any potential future episodes, which, erm, may not be too far out into the future.
