Study: Millions of Europeans Could Die from Heat by end of Century

01A new study warns that millions of Europeans could die from heat-related causes by the end of the century.

02The study was based on computer simulations of predicted climate activity in 854 different European cities.

03It found that extreme temperatures, mostly heat, could kill as many as 2.3 million people in Europe by 2100.

04The researchers said the number of predicted deaths could be reduced if nations are able to find better ways of cutting carbon pollution levels and dealing with extreme heat.

05Currently, cold weather kills far more people in Europe than hot weather.

06But the study found that as temperatures continue to rise, deaths from cold weather will lessen over time.

07However, heat-related deaths are predicted to rise sharply.

08Scientists at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine led the research.

09The results appeared recently in a study in the publication Nature Medicine.

10The researchers urged increased efforts to reduce greenhouse gases and expand indoor air cooling systems and cooling centers in parts of Europe.

11Without such efforts, places in Italy, southern Spain, and Greece are likely to see large increases in heat deaths related to climate change, the study found.

12On the other hand, much of Scandinavia and Britain are predicted to see fewer temperature-related deaths, largely because low temperatures are expected to become more moderate.

13Pierre Maslow studies the environmental effects of human health at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.

14He helped lead the research.

15Maslow told the Associated Press that drops in cold deaths in northern parts of Europe are happening in areas not as populated as places further south.

16The Mediterranean is a so-called climate hotspot, he said.

17It's a region that is warming much quicker than the rest of the world, and Malta is right in the middle of it.

18The study predicts Malta's temperature-related deaths will increase by 269 people for every 100,000 individuals by the end of the century.

19On the other hand, Ireland's rate is expected to drop slightly to 15 per 100,000 people.

20European officials reported several heat waves have killed thousands of people in recent years across the continent.

21The highest number was in 2003, when about 70,000 deaths were recorded.

22Among the areas predicted to see the most deaths from future temperature rises is Barcelona, Spain.

23The study found almost 250,000 people could die from temperature-related causes in that city by 2100.

24And the study warned that Rome and Naples could have up to 150,000 deaths.

25The study predicted that more than 5.8 million extra heat deaths would be linked to climate change.

26At the same time, the study found cold-related deaths would drop by 3.5 million.

27I'm Brian Lynn.