In recent years, Europe has faced devastating floods due to record rainfall, extreme droughts not seen in centuries, a constant rise in sea levels and rising temperatures in lakes and seas. Approximately 53 million Europeans live in areas at potential risk of river flooding and 30% of the population of southern Europe already suffers from permanent water stress, according to the latest report from the European Environment Agency (EEA).
Under the title Responding to the impacts of climate change on human health in Europe: focus on floods, droughts and water quality, this study warns about future risks to physical and mental health derived from variations in the quantity and quality of water. water, in addition to the impacts already visible, including deaths, injuries, infectious disease outbreaks and mental health problems.
Between 1980 and 2022, 5,584 deaths were recorded due to floods in 32 European countries, according to data in this report. Currently, one in eight Europeans lives in areas with potential risk of river flooding – totaling 53 million people, 12% of the population – and one in nine hospitals is located in risk areas.
Although many of these areas have flood defences, safety levels vary and infrastructure may be insufficient in the future. The worsening of climate change would increase the risk of large-scale flooding caused by rivers, seas and intense rains across Europe. This will multiply the number of people exposed to danger and will put current protection infrastructures to the test, requiring coordinated action to prevent loss of life and damage to health, the authors warn.
Regarding drought, the study indicates that 30% of the population in southern Europe faces permanent water stress, with the poorest or largest households being especially vulnerable. Researchers note that water scarcity leads to restrictions and rationing, in addition to an “inevitable” increase in prices as reserves dwindle.
On the other hand, prolonged periods of drought and heat facilitate the spread of forest fires. According to data from the report, these fires caused 702 deaths in Europe between 1980 and 2022, and many more people were affected by the smoke, which can have long-term effects if it contains harmful chemicals. The study’s authors also predict that the incidence of forest fires will increase in the future, with southern Europe a particular hotspot.
Although some health consequences due to changes in the amount of water in Europe are “painfully evident”, such as deaths from floods or fires, researchers argue that other effects are not yet widely recognized. These include the impact of droughts on farmers’ mental health and diseases caused by pathogens and toxins due to decreased water quality.
The study points out that, although the quality of water in Europe is generally high (whether drinking or recreational), it is also at risk. The authors explain that increasing air and water temperatures favor the growth of pathogens and increase the risk of waterborne diseases. Furthermore, heavy rain events double the likelihood of water containing harmful concentrations of pathogens, due to contaminated runoff and wastewater overflows, and could compromise Europe’s goals of achieving zero pollution in the future.
Other effects identified in the report include saline intrusion into groundwater and surface water aquifers in low-lying areas due to sea level rise, which negatively affects crops; increased concentrations of contaminants and pharmaceuticals due to too low flow rates, and the proliferation of cyanobacteria in nutrient-rich waters during dry and hot periods, which compromises water quality.
“Protecting human life and health from the impacts of climate change, including droughts, floods and degradation of water quality, is of utmost importance and urgency,” says Leena Ylä-Mononen, Executive Director of the EEA in a statement, and continues: “Existing European climate, water and health policies offer a solid basis for action, but they need to be implemented more broadly and systematically.”
Ylä-Mononen concludes that to guarantee our future well-being in the context of climate change, a comprehensive response is necessary, including health authorities, but also other sectors. “All levels of government must implement effective solutions so that we can prevent and reduce the impacts on physical and mental health,” closes the director of the EEA.
