WHO: Over 200,000 heat-related deaths in Europe over past four years

ANBAR, Iraq — The World Health Organization has called for stronger protections against heatwaves in Europe, saying more than 200,000 people in the region died from heat-related causes over the past four years. Hans Kluge, the WHO's regional director for Europe, described heatwaves as a preventable "silent killer" and said European countries have the tools to reduce their impact. Updated guidance was released at a heatwave-response event in Berlin attended by German Environment Minister Carsten Schneider and Berlin's senator for health, Ina Czyborra. Schneider said the effects of climate change are being felt around the world and warned that dense urban construction and heat-retaining buildings increase the risk to residents. The minister added that cutting emissions and expanding green spaces, tree cover, parks, water features and wetlands in cities could help mitigate the effects of extreme heat. No further details on the updated guidance were immediately available.